Lauderdale house fire claims one victim

By Staff
WAITING E.B. Gowdy of Kemper County stands by as firefighters work through hot spots in the rubble of a friend's house destroyed by fire Saturday. Photo by Sharon White/The Meridian Star
By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000
LAUDERDALE Volunteer firefighters say they are unsure what caused a house fire here Saturday evening that claimed one life.
Authorities could not immediately confirm the identify of the victim, who died in the blaze at 10896 Henry Wedgeworth Road. The fire was first reported about 6:30 p.m.
Cobler said the victim was found about 6 feet from the house's front door, although he could not yet confirm whether death was caused by fire, carbon monoxide or a health-related situation, such as a heart attack.
Former Lauderdale resident E.B. Gowdy said he feared the victim was a friend of his and came to the house only to find his friend's yellow Chevrolet still in the driveway.
Firefighters from four volunteer units spent nearly two hours on the scene trying to put the fire out and confirm whether anyone was inside the wood-frame structure before returning to their respective stations.
Firefighters said they were on the scene within 10 minutes of the emergency summons, but the somewhat isolated location of the house may have delayed the emergency call.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x