THOMASVILLE — A late-night blaze Thursday claimed one life in Grady County, officials said Friday.

Lt. Steve Clark, chief investigator with the Grady County Sheriff’s Office, said an “older adult male” was killed in the blaze, which occurred around 11 to 11:30 p.m. in a camper trailer located at 1582 Old Thomasville Road.

“The trailer belonged to a Clifford Scott, but the fire is still under investigation,” he said. “We are awaiting positive identification to release the name of the victim.”

Grady County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Wayne Hadden said a Pine Park station volunteer saw the blaze and called it in to the authorities.

Pine Park and Cairo-County volunteer stations responded to the blaze, he said.

“It was one of those Airstream travel trailers and was fully involved when firefighters arrived. The fire was extinguished and personnel discovered there was a body.”

Larry Ivy, county fire investigator, said cause was determined.

“It was accidental,” he said. “There was a gas can in the trailer that had a leak. There was a gas stove inside and the pilot light was lit. The vapors rose up and, when they got to the pilot light, this caused a flashover and also blew open the door. It burned very hot, very quickly.”

Clark said this is the first fire-related fatality in the county in some time.

“This is not the first one I’ve ever had, but it is the first one like this in a while,” he said. “I think it has been at least a few years.”

Ivy urged persons to never keep gasoline inside their homes.

“You should definitely not keep gas inside the home or even in a utility building,” he said. “There is the chance of vapor build-up. It is better to not store gas inside any building; store gas cans out in the open.”