Coroner identifies woman killed in Gilbert fire

Gilbert, SC (Diana Nation) 11/17/2020 12Noon - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has released the identity of the woman who died following a residential structure fire that occurred just before 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020. The fire occurred in the 300 block of Chickasaw Trail in Gilbert.

According to Coroner Fisher, Ms. Delories Stone Rauch, 91, of Gilbert was pronounced dead on the scene due to fire-related injuries. Ms. Rauch was the only resident of the home. When firefighters arrived at the home, they reported smoke visibly coming from it. As one crew attacked the fire, another searched the home for any possible victims. Those firefighters did, in fact, locate one person inside the home, Ms. Rauch, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lexington County fire service was assisted by trucks and crews from the Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department, personnel from the Lexington County Sheriff's Department as well as units from Lexington County EMS. Coroner Margaret Fisher's office became involved after the victim was recovered.

The cause and origin of the fire is being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.