Preliminary autopsy results have been released in the case in which a toddler was found deceased at a Hopewell Road residence Wednesday. A release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office states an autopsy was performed on the three-year-old; showing no signs of trauma. The release further states toxicology and other tests will not be available for about two weeks. The child was found on the front porch after a motorist notified authorities by calling 911. The investigation is continuing.

A Burke County man escapes serious injury when his home was destroyed by fire. According to WSOC-TV, three fire departments responded Thursday morning to a residence south of Morganton on Misti Brooke Lane. Investigators told WSOC that a blanket caught fire from a portable heater.

A standoff with authorities Thursday afternoon in Morganton, results in a man being taken into custody. The Morganton News Herald reports that Public Safety learned of a man with a gun near two businesses, which caused both lanes of East Parker Road to be blocked. The man drove out of a parking lot and was stopped on East Parker Road. There were no injuries and no shots were fired. The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The State Highway Patrol, Burke County EMS & Emergency Management and REACT assisted at the scene.

Crews respond Thursday to a wildfire in the Linville Gorge area. U.S.Forest Service firefighters battled a wildfire near Shortoff Mountain. The Forest Service issued an emergency closure of the Shortoff Trail (Trail #235) and the Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail #440) from Old Highway 105 at Pinnacles to the Table Rock Picnic Area.