Father and Daughter Dead After House Fire in Mebane, Cause is Under Investigation

Two Mebane residents died Sunday night following a house fire.

Authorities said Orange County dispatch received a call between 8:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. reporting the fire at 107 Shambley Road, near NC Highway 70 in Mebane. The Mebane Fire Department and Efland Volunteer Fire Department responded.

Mebane Fire Chief Bob Louis said William Alan Gourley, 55, and Betsy, his 30-year-old daughter, were found inside mobile house. Louis said the pair were the only individuals home at the time of the fire, which started on a covered front porch. He said the adult daughter had disabilities and was bedridden, with both bodies found in the front bedroom of the residence.

Louis said Captain John Schultz of the Mebane Fire Prevention Bureau is conducting the investigation into how the fire began and why the two individuals remained in the house. He said as of Monday afternoon, the cause of the fire is still unclear.

North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Fire Marshal are assisting in the investigation.