Investigators say the house fire that claimed the life of an Orangeburg resident and Times and Democrat employee late Friday is believed to be accidental.

Larry Jones, single copy sales manager for the T&D, was pronounced dead after a portion of his Nelson Street home was damaged by fire.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Capt. Mike Adams said, “The fire appears to have been an accident.”

Jones, who turned 55 on Aug. 31, was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead less than an hour after firefighters pulled him from a bedroom in the single-story home. Jones was the only person inside the home.

Adams said emergency personnel were dispatched at about 11:07 p.m. Friday after receiving a call from Jones’ wife, who had returned home after work.

Several individuals were in the driveway area of the home attempting to make entry into thestructure, according to an ODPS incident report. Joanne Jones told firefighters her husband was still inside the home, which officials noted “had light smoke and flames showing from the exterior of the residence,” the report indicates.

Firefighters entered the home and found Jones on a bed in a back bedroom. Emergency Medical Services then transported Jones to the Regional Medical Center.

Officials said on Monday that although the fire itself did not reach him, Jones died of smoke inhalation.

Investigators sifting through the kitchen -- the most damaged area of the home -- discovered the “front right eye of the stove was on and there were remains of a cooking vessel” on that stove, the report states.

Joanne Jones left her job at a local department store at 11 p.m. She immediately called 911 after finding her home on fire, the report indicates.

Jones attempted to gain entry into the home herself, but a side door she unlocked was blocked by debris.

Larry Jones was retired as general manager from the Atlantic Bottling Company. He had been employed with the T&D for nearly two years. Besides Joanne, he leaves behind two sons.

A memorial service for Jones has been set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Glover’s Funeral Home on Charleston Highway.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516.

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