62-Year-Old Dies in Laurens Mobile Home Fire, Officials Say
When I first looked into this case, one thing was clear right away — authorities are treating it as a fatal residential fire, not just another routine call.
Officials confirmed that a man died in a fire over the weekend in the Town of Laurens, putting an abrupt and tragic end to what should have been a normal Saturday afternoon. Fire crews were called to the Valley Stream Mobile Home Park on County Highway 11, where smoke and flames were reported coming from a mobile home.
Inside the home, firefighters found Roger DeLong, 62, deceased. Authorities later confirmed his identity, making this no longer just a fire investigation, but a loss of life that has shaken the local community.
At this stage, officials are being careful with their words. They’ve made it clear that the cause of the Laurens mobile home fire is still under investigation, and no conclusions have been released yet. That restraint matters — it shows this is an active case, not speculation-driven reporting.
If you live nearby or in a similar mobile home community, this kind of incident hits close to home. Fires like this raise uncomfortable but necessary questions about safety, response time, and prevention.
What’s going through your mind after hearing about this fire — concern, questions, or something else?
Location Details: Valley Stream Mobile Home Park Fire
If you’re trying to place where this happened, here’s what we know for sure. The fire broke out at the Valley Stream Mobile Home Park, located along County Highway 11 in the Town of Laurens.
According to WKTV, this is a quiet residential mobile home community, the kind of place where people know their neighbors and don’t expect emergency sirens cutting through a weekend afternoon. That context matters. Fires in mobile home parks don’t just affect one household — they worry everyone living nearby.
For local readers, this detail isn’t just geography. It’s about proximity, familiarity, and the unsettling realization that tragedy struck somewhere very close to home.
Emergency Response: Firefighters Called Saturday Afternoon
Authorities say firefighters were dispatched to the scene Saturday afternoon, shortly after reports of a fire came in. Crews arrived and began working to control the blaze and secure the home.
Once inside, responders made a grim discovery. The fire was already fatal.
Details about how long the fire burned before help arrived haven’t been shared publicly, and that silence is intentional. In cases like this, officials focus first on safety and investigation, not timelines that can be misunderstood.
For readers, the key takeaway is simple: this was an active emergency response, not a delayed or ignored situation.
Fires like this also highlight the risks firefighters face — something we’ve seen before, including in a Connecticut house fire that displaced residents and injured a firefighter while crews worked to control the flames.
Victim Identified: Roger DeLong, 62
Authorities later identified the man found inside the home as Roger DeLong, 62.
This is the moment where a news report stops being abstract. A name changes everything. It reminds you that this wasn’t just a structure fire — it was someone’s home and someone’s life.
Officials confirmed that DeLong was found deceased inside the mobile home. No further personal details have been released, which is standard in cases like this and helps protect family privacy during an already difficult time.
Investigation Status: Cause of Fire Still Unknown
Right now, the most important question — what caused the fire — remains unanswered.
Authorities say the cause of the Laurens mobile home fire is still under investigation. Fire investigators are expected to examine the scene, look at possible ignition sources, and rule out or confirm accidental causes.
What’s worth noting here is what officials are not saying. There has been no mention of foul play, and no early conclusions have been shared. That usually means investigators are still in the evidence-gathering phase.
If you’re waiting for clear answers, patience matters. Fire investigations often take time, especially when a death is involved.
These risks aren’t limited to one state or one type of home — in another case, a house fire in Arkansas left five people injured, including two children and a firefighter, underscoring how fast conditions can turn deadly.
What Happens Next: Official Steps Moving Forward?
From here, the process is fairly structured.
Investigators will continue examining the scene, and a final determination on the fire’s cause may be released once that work is complete. In some cases, additional reports or findings are shared days or weeks later.
For the community, the next phase is often the hardest — waiting. Waiting for answers, and coping with the reality that a neighbor didn’t make it out.
If you live in or near a mobile home park, this is also the moment many people start rethinking safety — checking smoke alarms, reviewing exit plans, and paying closer attention to risks that usually stay in the background.
Incidents like this often develop over time as officials release more details. Many readers prefer getting verified local updates directly, without constantly searching for them.
Mobile Home Fire Safety: Why Incidents Like This Matter
Whenever I cover a fatal mobile home fire, I notice the same pattern: people don’t think about fire risk until it’s too late.
Mobile homes can catch fire and spread flames faster than traditional houses, often due to electrical issues, heating equipment, or older wiring. That doesn’t mean they’re unsafe by default — it means fire safety matters more, not less.
If you live in a mobile home, simple steps make a real difference:
- Working smoke alarms in bedrooms and common areas
- Clear exit paths, especially at night
- Safe use of space heaters and extension cords
This tragedy in Laurens isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness — the kind that can save lives before sirens ever sound.
Laurens Mobile Home Fire: Key Facts at a Glance
For readers who want the facts without speculation, here’s what authorities have confirmed so far:
- Incident: Laurens mobile home fire
- Location: Valley Stream Mobile Home Park, County Highway 11
- Date: Saturday afternoon
- Victim: Roger DeLong, 62
- Outcome: One fatality
- Fire Cause: Still under investigation
These are the verified details — nothing added, nothing assumed.
Sadly, fatal fires like the one in Laurens are not rare — similar tragedies, such as a Detroit house fire that left three people dead and two injured, show how devastating residential fires can be when they spread quickly.
A Community Reminder, Not Just a Headline
Stories like this don’t end when the fire is out.
For the Laurens community, this is a reminder that emergencies can happen quietly, on an ordinary weekend, in familiar places. For readers elsewhere, it’s a nudge to take fire safety seriously before it becomes personal.
I always say this: you don’t need to panic, but you do need to prepare. A working smoke alarm or a clear exit plan can be the difference between escape and tragedy.
When was the last time you checked your smoke alarms or fire exit plan?
Fires like this aren’t isolated events. Similar incidents across the country show how quickly everyday homes can turn dangerous. If you want to understand these patterns and learn from other cases, you can explore more real-world fire reports and safety-focused coverage on our website.
Disclaimer: This report is based on information released by authorities and local news sources at the time of publication. Details may change as the investigation into the Laurens mobile home fire continues. Readers are advised to rely on official updates for the most accurate and confirmed information.
