Co-founder of local Hays County paper dies in house fire

A woman is dead and her husband is injured after a house fire in driftwood, early Thursday.

The Hays County Fire Marshal's Office said the home is a total loss. 74-year-old Nelva Joyce Roberson died at the scene. She was the co-founder of the local Hays Free Press News Dispatch paper.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of the deadly fire is still ongoing. “It burned everything, pictures and everything,” said Angel Carreon who lives across the street.

Carreon was woken up early Thursday morning by his neighbor whose home was engulfed in flames. “He came to my house at like 2 in the morning and knocks on my door and said ‘Angel I need help’ I said what's going on and he said ‘my house is burning my wife is in side,’” said Carreon

Carreon said he rushed over to the home to help the person still inside. “I tried going in through the back and break the windows but the fire, the fire was bad,” said Carreon. With how big the flames grew, Carreon said he felt powerless. “The fire was to the top of the trees,” said Carreon

Multiple agencies arrived on scene to put out the blaze.

The Hays County Marshal's Office reported 74-year-old Nelva Joyce Roberson died at the scene. Roberson was well known in the community. The News Dispatch, a local paper for the area, said in a social media post, it was with great sadness to report on the death of their co-founder.

“I don't believe it, she's gone,” said Carreon. Her husband, Dale Roberson was taken to the hospital with 2nd degree burns. “I've helped him he's help me with my house he's a good neighbor everybody here's a good neighbor,” said Carreon.

Officials say foul play is not suspected at this item.

We're told this morning's house fire caused about $180,000 worth of damage.

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