Officials still waiting on positive identification

By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

MT. AIRY-Donald Carter, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Fire Marshal, reported that the death in a residential fire at 235 Daffodil Street in Mt. Airy has been tentatively identified.

&#8220The coroner has not completed his autopsy at this time and is awaiting DNA test results,” he said Tuesday.

The fire was started Oct. 30 in the 3 a.m. hour.

Residents believe the person who was killed was Deborah Burl, 46, though neither the sheriff’s office nor the fire marshals have confirmed the identity of the body.

Dwan Scott, a neighbor said that the area is usually very quiet and close-knit. &#8220There was always a lot of activity on that corner though,” she said.

She has a personal tie to Burl and is a family friend.

&#8220I grew up with Deborah’s kids and would visit sometimes with the family. &#8220

&#8220Sometimes I would see her as she was going to church at St. John Baptist where she is a member,” Dwan said.

Police and the Louisiana Fire Marshals are still investigating the cause of the fire. Authorities say that while they think it may be a residential fire, they are not ruling out other possibilities.