NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News Fire Department is investigating a fire that left one person dead on Christmas Day, Assistant Fire Chief Robert E. Lee confirmed.
The fire happened sometime after 10 p.m. on Colonial Place, off of Warwick Boulevard. Lee said the fire started in the front of the house and is still under investigation.
Across the street, Carolyn Cooper watched as the flames tore through her neighbor’s home.
“All I kept saying is, 'I hope that woman is not in the house,'” said Cooper.
But someone was inside the house.
Fire officials confirmed the person didn’t survive.
“Of all days, Christmas day. I can’t believe it,” said Cooper.
On Thursday morning, Deborah Stewart drove to the home and stood outside, in tears and praying. Stewart said the person who lived in the home was her co-worker, but didn’t show up for her job at the Riverside Support Services building in Newport News Thursday.
“I immediately knew that something wasn’t right,” said Stewart. “Because she was dependable, loyal, and always came to work.”
Stewart said she and other considered the woman family.
“She was always funny, always telling jokes, telling us where the greatest deals were on meats and groceries,” said Stewart.
Neighbors and co-workers described the person who died as a devout Christian.
“We had many conversations about our love for the Lord and this is where I take my peace with this,” said Stewart.
Stewart said the woman was a widow and didn't have any family members in Virginia, but she was looking forward to Christmas Day.
“She shared with us that she was receiving a box from her sister and that it would be the only gift she would receive for Christmas, and she was gonna wait until Christmas morning to open them,” said Stewart.
The day ended in tragedy.
“It just hurts my heart that that lady was in that house and she couldn’t get out,” said Cooper.
Fire officials will release the victim's name once relatives are notified.
Newport News fire crews were also busy on Christmas with another fire earlier in the day at an apartment complex.
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