Dianne N. Burton — fire fatality

The coroner has identified the fatality in last night’s Mountain Rest home fire. Dianne N. Burton, 76, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Coroner Addis says Burton was unable to escape the Ross Mountain Road home that in full fire when the first set of fire units arrived late last night.  An autopsy this morning showed the cause of death smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.  Burton’s death is classified accidental.  The death investigation is being conducted by the following offices:  the Oconee Coroner’s Office, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, “SLED”, and the fire investigation teams of Oconee County.