ROPER — Two people died in a house fire on Mackeys Road in Roper on Saturday afternoon, and the cause remains under investigation.

Washington County Sheriff Arlo Norman said in a statement that the county's 911 center received a call at 3:33 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, reporting a structure fire at 4915 Mackeys Road. Two sheriff's deputies, Deputy Baker and Deputy Dashawn Mizelle, arrived within minutes and found one end of the home fully engulfed in flames. They could not enter to look for the occupants.

After firefighters arrived and put out the fire, two people were found dead inside the home, Norman said. The SBI's Arson Unit was called immediately and arrived at the scene shortly afterward. The investigation is continuing.

"Our heartfelt prayers go out to the victims and their family at this difficult time," Norman said.

Roper Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Spruill confirmed that two people died in the blaze. He said he could not yet release the victims' names, ages or genders because of the ongoing investigation by the sheriff's office and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation.

The burned home was a double-wide mobile home on a foundation, with trees in the front yard. Spruill said flames were shooting from one end of the home when volunteer units from Plymouth and Roper arrived, shortly after an officer from each department had reached the scene. The fire was brought under control fairly quickly, he said, and the premises were searched.

SBI information officer Chad Flowers said Sunday that he was checking with agents who were at the scene and would provide more information when it becomes available.

Volunteer units from Creswell, Lake Phelps, Mid-County and Pungo River also responded, along with the SBI and state fire marshal personnel. Norman's statement also thanked Washington County EMS, Washington County Emergency Management, the Washington County Medical Examiner and Dominion Power.