Three Dallas County Residents Die in Fire

Contact: John S. Robison, State Fire Marshal
334-241-4166

12/17/2002

Two adults and one child were killed early Tuesday morning during a fire at 4731 County Road 74 Selma.

 

Cecil Edwards, Sr., his wife Patricia Diane Edwards and their son Cecil Patrick Edwards, Jr. died when fire destroyed their mobile home.  A neighbor discovered and reported the fire around 3:31 AM.  The Tyler Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call.

 

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time; however investigators have found nothing to indicate the fire is anything other than accidental.  The family was not using the liquefied petroleum gas system in the home and the gas tank had been disconnected.  Cooking was done at a relative’s home and food was brought back to the house.  Investigators at this time believe the fire resulted from electrical space heaters or electrical problems.  It is unknown if there were any smoke detector/alarms in the home when the fire occurred.

 

The fire and deaths are currently under investigation by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama State Fire Marshals Office and Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.