FORKS OF THE RIVER—An unidentified person perished early Friday morning when fire engulfed a century-old log cabin on the Nottoway River.

Southampton County Sheriff’s Department officials were unable to positively identify the victim, whose remains have been sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Norfolk.

Chief Deputy Jack Stutts said a pilot flying over the area first reported the fire at 3 a.m., but firefighters were unable to locate the blaze. A newspaper carrier later discovered the burned cabin and called authorities, who responded to the scene at about 6 a.m.

The cabin was located at the dead end of Forks of the River Road, 8/10ths of a mile from the intersection of Forks of the River, Delaware Road and Smiths Ferry Road.

Stutts said Friday evening that the cause of the fire had not been determined, but there was no evidence of foul play.

A car belonging to someone who had been staying at the cabin this week was parked outside, Stutts said, and the person had not been seen as of late Friday.

However, authorities are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner before identifying the victim.