Three people are confirmed dead, and two others are seriously injured after a fire on South Mountain Street today (Sunday).
A child is apparently among those lost in the blaze, which destroyed a mobile home just inside the Smithville city limits.
Sources say five people were inside the home when the blaze began at around noon. A neighbor apparently rescued one of the victims from the flames, while city firefighter John Poss pulled a two-year-old child from the home.
According to a release from the Smithville Police Department:
“On 12/4/16 at 12:16 p.m., police responded to 1276 South Mountain Street for a structure fire with people possibly still in the residence. Chief Mark Collins said five people were inside the residence at the time of the fire, which included 27-year-old Jeremy Shelton, 36-year-old Crystal Fults, 26-year-old Heather Standridge, and her two children, four-year-old Caylix Johnson and 23-month-old Brantley Johnson. Chief Collins stated that Jeremy Shelton and Crystal Fults perished in the fire.
“The children were rescued from the fire by Smithville firefighter, Lt. John Poss and a passerby, Jerry Estes. Jerry Estes was passing the residence when he saw the trailer on fire and Heather Standridge standing outside the trailer yelling that her children were still inside. Mr. Estes then climbed through the window where the children were reported to be, and rescued 23-month-old Brantley Johnson. A short time later, Lt. Poss arrived on scene where he entered the structure and rescued four year old Caylix Johnson, who later passed away at the hospital. Heather Standridge and 23-month-old Brantley Johnson are currently in ICU at Vanderbilt.
“The investigation is still underway by the Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, and the Tennessee Fire Marshall's Office. Chief Collins says the official cause of fire at this time is still undetermined.”
The three injured, including a woman and two children, ages 2 and 4, were taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. The woman and one of the children were later transported to Vanderbilt Hospital. The other child reportedly died at the hospital.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department rushed to the scene, and were backed up by members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department. Members of the American Red Cross and Smithville police also assisted at the scene.
Smithville police detectives and representatives of the state fire marshal's office are conducting an investigation. The names of those involved have not yet been released.
