A man who was found dead in a Fernwood house fire on Saturday night had suffered a busted sternum and cracked skull, and his uncle reportedly heard gunshots before the fire, authorities reported.
Gerald D. Jones, 31, was found alone inside his charred house at 1123 Fred Dillon Road.
Pike County Coroner Percy Pittman said Jones was found lying on his back with his arms at his side. His arms were burned off below the elbows, and his legs were burned off below the knees.
The Mississippi Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating the cause of the blaze.
The Fernwood and Sunny Hill volunteer fire departments answered a dispatcher’s call to the one-story home around 11 p.m., and the fire was extinguished around 3:20 a.m. Sunday.
Pittman said Jones’ uncle, Alonzell Dillon, who lives nearby, reported hearing gunshots before the fire.
Dillon also told firefighters that Jones was in the house.
Fernwood Fire Chief Lycia Moran said Monday the cause of the blaze is still unknown. Pike County Civil Defense Director Richard Coghlan said an investigation by the state fire marshal’s office is ongoing.
Pike County Chief Deputy Steve Rushing said Monday that the sheriff’s department is not investigating the incident at this time.
He said sheriff’s officials are awaiting the results of the autopsy and fire marshal’s investigation before conducting an investigation of their own.
