FAIRMONT — The cause of a house fire that killed an elderly man near Fairmont early Monday morning is unknown, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire was reported at about 9 a.m. at a mobile home on the 9000 block of N.C. 41 South.

According to Maj. Anthony Thompson, chief of detectives for the Sheriff’s Office, 80-year-old John Clayton Oliver died as a result of smoke inhalation.

Oliver was the only person in the house at the time of the fire, said Stephanie Chavis, Robeson County fire marshal.

Chavis said it appears the fire began in the living room. Oliver’s body was found in a hallway near a bedroom at the opposite end of the home.

“We were not able to determine a cause because the ceiling of the living room collapsed, so we were not able to get into that portion of the house,” Chavis said.

The living room was destroyed and the rest of the house suffered significant damage as a result of smoke and soot.

Four fire departments, along with the Fire Marshal’s office, the Sheriff’s Office and EMS responded.

By Sarah Willets

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Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets.