Two Killed In Gaston County House Fire near Cherryville

12:01 PM EST |May 12, 2025|Wise News Network|Breaking News, News Articles, People, Public Safety

By: Wise News Network Staff

*Updated 5/13/2025 10:45AM

Crouse, NC (WNN)- On Sunday, May 11th, 2025, a house fire at 4347 Old Lincolnton Road, Crouse, NC, near Cherryville claimed the lives of a 78-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman. Investigators from the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services have ruled the fire accidental.

The property at 4347 Old Lincolnton Road, Crouse NC, before the fire. Photo from: Gaston County GIS

Emergency Response

According to authorities, Emergency responders arrived at the home in the 4000 block of Old Lincolnton Road at 10:11 a.m. Sunday. The front and left side of the home were fully engulfed when units arrived.

The Property at 4347 Old Lincolnton Road, Crouse, NC, after the fire. May 12th, 2025. By: Mason Beam (WNN)

Victim Identified

Taylor Black, who married into the family, confirmed to WNN that the 78-year-old man was Wayne Cabiness. The name of the 25-year-old woman has not been released. Public records indicate that the owner of the approximately 44.5 acre property was in the name of Wayne Keith Cabiness.

Cause of Fire

Investigators found that a heating lamp caused the fire, which started on the front porch of the home.

Multiple Fire Departments on Scene

Many fire departments responded to the scene. Crouse Fire Department was the lead agency on the fire, with assistance from Tryonota Fire, Agriculture Center Volunteer Fire, Waco Community Volunteer Fire, Dallas Fire, Cherryville Fire, Bessemer City Fire, North Gaston Fire, Hugh’s Pond Volunteer Fire, and South Fork Fire. The Cherryville Police, Gaston County Police, North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, and Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) also assisted.

Family Statement

Black says the house fire started around 9:30 am. She saw it from the window of her home and was the first one on site to call 911. Help arrived between 10 and 15 minutes. 20 to 30 minutes later, they were able to get the fire out and confirmed that her grandfather figure and his granddaughter were found in the home, deceased.

According to Black, the property was a family farm. The family plans to keep the farm and take care of the animals in honor of Cabiness.

*Update

*The 25-year-old woman has been identified as Autumn Payseur. A pet poodle was also killed in the fire.

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