The fire occurred at approximately 0345 on Saturday. The Smiths Volunteer Fire Department answered the call from a neighbor, who had called the telephone operator. According to early reports, the fire started in the area of a kerosene heater located in the hallway between the bathroom door and the back door of the 3-bedroom, 60-foot long trailer. The location of the heater and the intens i ty of the fire prevented the occupants from leaving by the back door of the trailer. According to Robeson County Fire Marshal Charles Britt, the Smiths Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched along with the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department. Both departments arrived at the scene of the fire in 10-12 minutes only to find the trailer fully engulfed in flames.