MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Authorities have confirmed the identity of the victim in the November 2 house fire on Fellowship Drive.

The victim was Zanthus Gerando Hairston, Sr., 47, of Henry County, according to Henry County Fire Marshal Kiah Cooper.

A memorial service for Hairston is scheduled for November 15 at 1 p.m. at Wright Funeral Service Martinsville Chapel, with visitation beginning 30 minutes prior to the service.

Hairston died from smoke inhalation, Cooper previously told rbs news now.

Investigators were initially unable to release a name while waiting for DNA comparison to make a positive identification.

The home was declared a total loss.

Cooper said the fire appears to have originated “in the area near some electrical equipment/wiring in the bedroom,” but the exact ignition source remains unclear.

“Due to the extent of the damage it is unclear what was energized at the time of the fire and what first ignited,” he said, adding that the exact cause remains undetermined.

The American Red Cross assisted the homeowner following the incident.

The Henry County Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.

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UPDATE — November 6

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — Authorities have confirmed the cause of death in a fatal house fire on Fellowship Drive earlier this month.

Henry County Fire Marshal Kiah Cooper told rbs news now that the victim died from smoke inhalation.

Investigators are still working to confirm the identity of the deceased, a process that could take some time as officials must compare DNA to make a positive identification.

Crews were called to the blaze on November 2 after a deputy traveling along the U.S. 220 Bypass noticed flames coming from the rear of a home in the 600 block of Fellowship Drive.

The deputy attempted to enter the home but was unable to do so due to it being engulfed by flames.

Preliminary findings show the fire started in a back bedroom, and the home is considered a total loss.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ORIGINAL STORY — November 2

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — One person is dead after a house fire early Sunday morning in Henry County.

A deputy traveling on the U.S. 220 Bypass noticed flames coming from the rear of a home in the 600 block of Fellowship Drive around 12:20 a.m. on November 2.

The deputy attempted to access the residence but was unable to do so.

Firefighters from the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department and the Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department, along with personnel from the Henry County Department of Public Safety, responded to the scene and found the home engulfed in flames upon arrival.

Henry County Fire Marshal Kiah Cooper confirmed to rbs news now that the fire resulted in one fatality.

His office is working with the sheriff’s office to identify the victim and coordinate with the medical examiner’s office.

Preliminary findings indicate the fire began in a back bedroom, and the home is considered a total loss.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.