Fatal Camper Fire Linked to Space Heater, Elderly Man Found Dead Days After Blaze in D’Iberville

A 77-year-old George Byron Lee man has tragically lost his life following a camper fire in a small RV park on West Gay Road in D’Iberville, with investigators pointing to a space heater as the likely cause. The incident, which went unnoticed for days, has raised concerns about fire safety in confined living spaces.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire originated from an electric space heater that had been placed too close to combustible materials inside the camper. The flames are believed to have ignited during the overnight hours sometime earlier in the week, eventually burning out on their own without drawing attention.

Authorities were not alerted to the situation until Monday evening, when someone went to check on the resident, identified as George Byron Lee. Upon arrival, the individual discovered Lee deceased inside the camper and noticed visible signs of prior fire damage. Emergency services had not been called at the time of the fire, and no neighbors reported seeing smoke or flames.

D’Iberville Fire Chief Gerald Smith stated that the fire likely extinguished itself before spreading beyond the camper, which may explain why it went undetected. The isolated nature of the RV park and the timing of the blaze may have also contributed to the lack of immediate response.

The Harrison County coroner confirmed that Lee had been dead for several days before being found. An autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause of death.

Officials are reminding the public to exercise caution when using space heaters, particularly in small or enclosed spaces where fire risks can escalate quickly.