Foul play ruled out after woman’s body found following Bible Hill fire

HALIFAX – Investigators say they’ve ruled out foul play after a woman’s body was discovered following a house fire in Bible Hill Tuesday evening.

The body of 49-year-old Lisa Joleen Roode was discovered after a fire at a mobile home on Bob Lee Court.

Around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a neighbour living on Bob Lee Court reported a structure fire at a nearby mobile home.

“It was on fire in the front of it,” said witness Justin Pulsifer. “The windows were smashed out and there was smoke coming over.”

RCMP and the Bible Hill Fire Department responded to the fire and extinguished the flames.

After they entered the residence once the fire was put out, they discovered Roode’s body.

“The fire marshal is on scene. They’re going to do their investigation along with the Colchester RCMP detachment and, until further notice with the medical examiner, we’re holding the scene. The investigation is ongoing,” said Cst. Bill Collier with the Bible Hill RCMP.

Cpl. Addie Maccallum with Colchester County RCMP say Roode was the only person residing inside the mobile home.

“At this time, it’s too early to tell if it’s suspicious,” he said.

Neighbours say Roode generally kept to herself.

“This lady was a very good person, very kind. I can’t say anything bad about her,” said neighbour Liliia McNutt.

“I can’t say anything bad about her. She was very friendly and all the neighbours like her.”

McNutt said she did not speak with Roode much but they often exchanged pleasantries on the street.

“Like ‘Hi, how are you today?’ — that’s all,” she said.

Resident Arthur Rushton said he and Roode have mutual friends.

“She was just a really nice lady, quite a few people knew her around here.”

But Rushton notes the mobile homes are vulnerable to fire.

“The trailers go up so quick in here. You really don’t have time to do anything.”

The investigation is ongoing.