Fatal House Fire at 914 Kirkwood Ave

UPDATE: The next of kin of the deceased from last night’s 914 Kirkwood Avenue fire have been notified. He has been identified as Jack E. Forrest (8/18/1937).

ORIGINAL RELEASE: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department responded to a house fire at 914 Kirkwood Avenue just after 6:00 Monday evening.

Dispatch notified crews that the caller believed there was someone still inside the home. Upon arrival, crews discovered heavy smoke coming from the roof and eaves of the home.

Firefighters made entry, but despite their best search and rescue efforts, a heavy fire load and extreme heat made the victim inaccessible. Due to the unsafe conditions, crews had to exit the home.

According to Battalion Chief Mark McCluskey, the fire took quite a while to extinguish. The body of the deceased was located once the fire was out and conditions were safe to re-enter the home.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The Fire Marshal was called to conduct a routine investigation. McCluskey said the Fire Marshal will perform an initial investigation tonight, but will be back out in the morning to continue.

The name of the deceased will not be released at this time. The three surviving residents have been displaced and will be assisted by the American Red Cross.

More information will be released as it becomes available.