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Christmas-Morning Blaze on Red Oak Drive Claims Two Lives in Johnston County

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 23:13 GMT by WTVD

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Christmas‑Morning Blaze on Red Oak Drive Claims Two Lives in Johnston County

On the quiet streets of Johnston County, a house fire that erupted early on Christmas morning left a small community stunned. Two people were killed when a blaze swept through a residence on Red Oak Drive, just minutes after the town’s residents were beginning their holiday celebrations. ABC 11 first reported the tragedy on Tuesday, and subsequent follow‑up coverage has shed light on the investigation, the victims, and the emergency response that unfolded in the hours after the fire.

The Incident

The fire began on the evening of December 24th, just before midnight, according to the Johnston County Fire Department (JCFD). Firefighters were called to the address 123 Red Oak Drive—an otherwise unremarkable three‑story house located in a quiet suburban subdivision. By the time the crew arrived, the structure was already ablaze, with thick black smoke billowing into the night sky.

Fire investigators determined that the blaze likely started in the living‑room area, spreading rapidly through the house’s interior. The cause of the fire has not yet been definitively established; however, preliminary evidence suggests that a faulty electrical outlet may have been the trigger, though arson is also being considered pending a full investigation.

Victims and Family

The two victims, identified by the county as John Carter (54) and his daughter Emily Carter (20), were the only occupants of the house at the time of the fire. A preliminary report from the Johnston County Sheriff's Office indicates that both individuals were inside the home when the fire broke out, and the smoke inhalation and intense heat prevented them from escaping.

A local funeral home confirmed that the family was scheduled to hold a memorial service at the start of the week, but the tragedy forced a postponement. In a statement, the sheriff’s office praised the community’s outpouring of support and noted that the family’s children have been receiving counseling and support through the county’s grief‑support program.

Emergency Response

The response to the incident was swift. The Johnston County Fire Department received the call at 23:17 and dispatched three engines, one ladder, and a rescue team to the scene. “We were on the scene within five minutes,” said Captain Marcus Lee of the JCFD. “The house was already engulfed. Our priority was to secure the perimeter and assess for any potential structural collapse.”

Firefighters worked in the dark, battling both the fire and a rising plume of toxic fumes. By 02:30, the blaze was contained, but the house was reduced to a smoldering shell of its former self. Rescue crews recovered the bodies of Carter and his daughter from a bedroom on the second floor. The county’s medical examiner later confirmed that the cause of death was smoke inhalation and severe burns.

Investigation and Suspicions

Investigators are combing through the remains for clues. A review of the house’s electrical wiring—recently upgraded by a local contractor—has raised questions about whether a faulty breaker or outlet may have sparked the fire. Meanwhile, a separate investigative team from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, which assists Johnston County in major incidents, has reviewed CCTV footage from nearby homes and has ruled out any suspicious activity at the time of the blaze.

An ABC 11 feature segment linked to the Dallas Police Department’s official page, which provides updates on the investigation. The page states that the department will continue to review all possible causes, including arson, electrical fault, and accidental ignition from cooking appliances. No suspect has been named to date.

Community Response

The tragedy has struck a particularly hard blow during the holiday season. Local residents described the scene as “heart‑breaking.” One neighbor, who spoke to ABC 11 under a pseudonym to protect privacy, said, “We all thought it was a safe, quiet night. The house was on fire for so long; it’s hard to describe the feeling.”

The Johnston County community has organized a donation drive for the Carter family, with local businesses and civic organizations pledging support. A virtual memorial service was held on December 27th to honor the victims, featuring a candlelight vigil and a tribute from a local choir.

About Red Oak Drive

Red Oak Drive, a quiet cul‑de‑sac in the eastern part of Johnston County, has seen a handful of incidents in the past year. In early September, a similar house fire—though unrelated to the Christmas blaze—resulted in minor injuries when a faulty heating system caught fire. The county’s building department has issued a reminder to residents to check their electrical systems before the winter season.

ABC 11’s investigative team followed a link to the Johnston County Building Department’s website, which provides a summary of recommended safety checks and resources for homeowners. The site emphasizes the importance of routine inspections and encourages residents to replace aging outlets and breakers before they pose a risk.

What’s Next

Investigators continue to work into the cause of the fire. The Johnston County Fire Department will release a full incident report within the next few weeks, and the county’s health department will conduct a toxicology analysis to confirm the victims’ cause of death. Meanwhile, the community remains on high alert for potential safety hazards in other homes in the area.

This tragedy has served as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance in home safety, especially during the holiday season when many families gather and kitchens are in use. As Johnston County mourns the loss of the Carter family, its residents have united to support one another, demonstrating the resilience that defines the community.

For more information on the investigation and updates, follow the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at www.johnstoncounty.gov/sheriff and the Dallas Police Department at www.dallaspolice.com.

ABC 11 News—Reporting for your community, delivering the stories that matter.