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.

Related Stories
‹
STIHL Holds Open House, Celebration For New Orange County Distribution Center in Mebane
The power tool manufacturer STIHL welcomed corporate leaders, local government dignitaries and more to its open house celebration in Mebane.
Sheriff's Office Says Orange County Teen 'Safely Located' After Search
The Orange County Sheriff's Office shared an alert to the public Thursday morning, asking for assistance in locating 15-year-old Haylee Moore.
Morinaga Officially Breaks Ground on Orange County Manufacturing Expansion
On Thursday in Mebane, dignitaries from multiple nations came together as the Japanese company Morinaga broke ground on a major expansion of its Hi-Chew candy factory in Orange County.
Orange County Approves Incentives for Morinaga's Expansion of HI-CHEW Factory
The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $2.9 million tax incentives deal for Morinaga America Foods on Tuesday.
Morinaga Set to Expand Orange County Manufacturing Plant, Invest $136 Million in New Facility
After nearly ten years of successful operations in western Orange County, Morinaga will expand its facility for producing HI-CHEW candies.
Orange County Deputies Investigating Friday Morning Car Crash, Gunshots
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a single vehicle crash which occurred near Mebane on Friday morning. According to a release from the office, deputies responded to a call of a vehicle crashing into a ditch near the intersection of Mill Creek Road and Doe Run Road. The caller reportedly described hearing […]
First North Carolina Buc-ee's Gas Station Location Approved in Mebane
After pulling out of its plans to build in Efland in 2021, Bucee's received approval from Mebane to build its first North Carolina location.
On Air Today: News of Orange Editor Dale Edwards
News of Orange Editor Dale Edwards spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 9. He discussed the recently announced merger of the News of Orange with The Mebane Enterprise. He also talked about the Mebane City Council's green-light of a plan to bring a Buc-ees travel center to Mebane. He then recounted his path away from and then back to the position of Editor of the News of Orange, and more.
Medline Holds Dedication Ceremony for Orange County Distribution Center
Orange County officials got a chance to see operations unfold at the recently-built Medline distribution center in Mebane on Tuesday.
New Orange County Aquamation Business Aims to Provide Eco-Friendly Comfort
Hunter Beattie is still relatively new to working around death. The Orange County resident made a significant career change one year ago when he switched from working in real estate and decided to create one of the handful of aquamation services offered in North Carolina. Sitting in the welcoming area of his Hillsborough […]
›