Death of man found at Lunenburg fire being investigated

Drakes Branch man found after shots heard and fire discovered by neighbors

LUNENBURG – The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an incident that took place on Thursday, February 18, 2016, where a man was found dead inside the home of a woman who had a protective order against him.

The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 10:20 p.m. through the Mecklenburg County 911 Center that a fire was being reported at a dwelling at 4199 Fort Mitchell Drive, Lunenburg County, Virginia.

Along with responders from the Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office, the Victoria Fire Department, as well as Chase City and Boydton fire departments, were all dispatched to the location.

According to a release by Lunenburg Sheriff Arthur Townsend, an off-duty Mecklenburg deputy sheriff, who also serves as a firefighter, entered the house and found the deceased body of an adult male, who was later identified as Donald F. Roark.

The 74-year-old Roark had an address of 250 CC Lane, Drakes Branch, Virginia.  Following the incident, his body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond to determine the exact cause of death. There were no other people at the home or found in the home at the time of the fire. The house appears to be completely destroyed by the fire and a total loss.

The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Two neighbors stated they heard a gunshot and went over and noticed the house was on fire. One attempted to use a water hose on the fire, and the other called 911.”

According to Lunenburg District Court records, on February 12, 2016 Mr. Roark was the subject of a protective order granted to a woman with whom he had been living for more than 18 years.  According to the affidavit, Roark and the woman living at the home where the fire occurred had been separated for about a month.  She alleged that he came to her house at 4199 Fort Mitchell Drive, beating on the doors and trying to gain entry, but left afterwards.

She also reported that a tire had been cut on her car and one on her truck on a previous date.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office.