Authorities are investigating a fatal house fire in the Bonne Esperance area of St. Thomas that claimed the life of 21-year-old A’zhanique Jonelle Hodge, whose body was discovered inside the burned structure, the V.I. Police Department announced.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of the fire on Wednesday at approximately 7:45 p.m. Firefighters from the Virgin Islands Fire Services responded to the scene, extinguished the blaze, and discovered the body of a female victim inside the residence. Emergency Medical Technicians on-site determined the victim showed no signs of life, according to the police report.
On Friday, the victim was identified by her next of kin as Hodge. The cause of death remains undetermined, pending the results of an autopsy, the report stated.
The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is collaborating with the Virgin Islands Fire Emergency Medical Services Arson Investigation and Prevention Unit in the ongoing investigation. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the VIPD at 340-774-2211, the Major Crimes Division at 340-714-9823 or 340-714-9829, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
