Fatal fire cause undetermined

An investigation continues into the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a Charles City County man.

Marion P. “Boots” Hughes, 84, of the 4000 block of Old Union Road, was home alone on Dec. 22 when fire broke out at his residence around 11 a.m. Fire and rescue crews responded to the emergency call and upon arrival, found Hughes dead in his bedroom.

Hughes and his family once owned Hughes Store, a general store located at the intersection of Charles City and Old Union roads, just east of the Henrico County line, that served as a centerpiece for the community in northwestern Charles City.

Hughes’ parents, R.M. and Ruby Hughes, built the store in 1927, the same year he was born. The store closed its doors in 2000.

In the Oct. 11, 2006 edition of the Chronicle, Hughes was featured in a story about renovation work on the store and accompanying residence. The store is now home to Wings of Love Outreach Ministry.

Investigators say Hughes kept to himself, as the only person to see him on a regular basis was his caretaker. According to reports, his caretaker had left the residence about an hour before flames engulfed the single story, frame dwelling and was last to see him alive.

Charles City sheriff’s investigators say Hughes could have died from smoke inhalation. No official cause of death had been released as of press time.