County resident dies in house fire

By Staff
Melissa Cason
PHIL CAMPBELL – A fire in a Phil Campbell residence claimed a life Monday night.
Fire Chief Mike Rice said they received the fire call just before midnight Monday night. They were on scene, located at McMicken Trailer Park in Phil Campbell, within 10 minutes of being dispatched out, and found the residence to be fully involved.
"It was fully involved when we got here," Rice said. "Fire was coming from all of the openings and the sides of the trailer was melting."
Rice said the fire was extinguished within five minutes of their arrival for the most part except the hot spots.
"We had it under control in just a few minutes, but it takes a little time with the hot spots," Rice said.
While the department's best efforts were made, the fire claimed one life.
"The body was found near the door," Rice said. "We can assume he was trying to get out but didn't make it."
Franklin County Coroner Elzie Malone said there has not been a positive identification of the body because of its condition.
"It could take several weeks to get an identification of the body," Malone said. "But, it's really up to science for the identification."
Malone said the forensic lab will try to use dental records and x-rays of the suspected victim to give a positive identification.
Rice said the fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, but exact cause has not been released.
An investigator with the State Fire Marshall's office was on the scene Tuesday, which is required of all fatal fires.