The Aiken County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death of an elderly Gloverville woman following a house fire that occurred early Sunday morning on School Street.
The fire was reported at approximately 5:29 a.m. Sunday and led to the death of 78-year-old Joyce Barfield, Coroner Darryl Ables said in a press release.
Upon arrival, fire department personnel discovered Barfield unresponsive inside her home. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:59 a.m. Sunday. Investigators believe the fire originated in a bedroom, potentially ignited by a candle, the coroner said. The use of candles may have been necessitated by ongoing power outages in the area following Hurricane Helene.
An autopsy is scheduled for next week in Newberry to determine the exact cause of death. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
(Note: If you have a better photo or memory of Joyce to share, please text it to us at 803-487-3224.)
