ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607180058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BODY CAMP
An elderly Bedford County man died early Wednesday morning when a fire destroyed his home.
Investigators identified the victim as Jobe Nelms, 80, and said the fire probably was started from a lit cigarette.
Nelms and his 78-year-old brother, Isaac, shared the small frame house off Virginia 722.
Isaac Nelms told investigators he fed his brother about 10 p.m. Tuesday and then went outside. He fell asleep in his truck but was awakened around 3 a.m. by a loud boom. He ran to the door to try to save his brother, but heavy smoke prevented him from entering the house. He then ran for help, investigators said.
Investigator Gary Faribault said the boom was probably a window breaking during the fire.
He also said that Jobe Nelms, who had several health problems and used a wheelchair to get around, was a heavy smoker and was known to smoke in bed.
- Staff report
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB