A space heater caused the death of two children in a house fire this week in Henderson County.

Crews responded to the fire located at 132 S. Elizabeth St. around 9:40 p.m. Monday and found the rear of the home engulfed in flames.

Firefighters found the bodies of a 1-year-old Chase Lewis and a 12-year-old Abria Lewis inside.

Firefighters say the fire started in a back bedroom. When crews arrived, the room was fully engulfed in flames.

"I couldn't do nothing but just stand there," said Queen Hawkins when she found out her grand niece and nephew died in the fire.

Hawkins was with a group of family members who came to see the damaged home Tuesday.

Firefighters say the cause of this fire is improper storage of combustibles around a space heater. The portable space heater was located in the bedroom.

Sixteen-year-old Avontay was the only one who made it out alive, and he was left in charge, according to Hawkins.

Abria attended Henderson Middle School and Vice Prinicpal David Westbrook says she was an excellent student. Banners hung on the school's wall with final words to their friend and classmate.

"When you lose a child, you don't ever get over it. The only thing you do is pray that the Lord will strengthen you in your weakness," Hawkins said.

The children's mother, Ayanna Lewis also works at Henderson Middle School.

The Henderson Arson Task Force and the State Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the fire investigation. The cause of the blaze has not been determine.

The Red Cross is assisting the surviving family members.


The funeral will be held at Vance-Granville Community College at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Fire officials are remind people to keep items at least 36 inches away from any portable space heater.