A dead body was found inside the distribution center for the QVC home shopping television network in North Carolina one day after a massive, five-alarm fire ripped through the facility.
More than 300 employees were working at the facility near Rocky Mount when the fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, the News & Observer reported.
The body was identified as 21-year-old father Kevon Ricks.
QVC officials had reported Saturday that all employees but one had safely evacuated the warehouse and were accounted for.
The Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office said Fire Search and Recover members uncovered a body around 11:30 a.m. At 4 p.m., the body was identified as Ricks.
It’s unclear whether he was a QVC employee.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Ricks as well as all team members affected by this tragedy,” the department said in a press release on Facebook.
The main section of the massive, 1.2 million-square-foot facility was destroyed in a fire that lasted over 12 hours and involved responders from 45 different fire departments. Over the course of a three-shift workday, over 2,000 people are employed at the site.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted his condolences to those who were affected by the fire.
“I’m saddened by the loss of life during the QVC Distribution Center fire in Rocky Mount. I’ve been in contact with local and state officials about that tragedy and taking steps to help families hurt by the loss of more than 2000 jobs,” he wrote.
Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson took to Facebook to thank the first responders and pledged to help those who have lost their jobs due to the fire.
“We are standing by to understand what this means economically to employees and we are ready to assist in any way we can,” he wrote.
QVC said it’s unsure whether the fire will have “any impact to shipping and delivery,” but will be sharing further details when they are available.
With Post wires