Harnett County woman killed in Christmas Eve house fire

LILLINGTON, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats told ABC11 on Tuesday that he "suspects" the Christmas tree in a house fire that left a woman dead on Christmas Eve.

Officials said the fire started just after 10:15 Sunday evening in the 100 block of Supreme Drive.

Sarah Beddingfield, 68, was found dead inside of the residence.

Authorities said four people were inside of the home at the time - two people suffered burns, one of whom was taken to UNC Hospital for treatment.

The house is considered a total loss.

Members from several fire departments, members of the Harnett County Fire Marshall's Office, Harnett County EMS, and Red Cross were on scene.

Coats said an official cause of the fire won't be released until Wednesday.

Campbell University and the community is rallying behind the Beddingfield family. The University is allowing the family to stay at one of its missionary houses on campus as long as it needs to.

WANT TO HELP?

The board of deacons at Memorial Baptist Church has approved an emergency fund through the church where people can donate to help the family replace everything lost in the fire.

Donations can be sent to the church at:

Memorial Baptist Church

271 Leslie Campbell Ave.

PO Box 485

Buies Creek, NC 27506

(910) 893-4162

Pleae mark donations for "emergency relief fund."