Published: October 10, 2008 01:50 am            

MFD releases fire report

blivingston@themeridianstar.com



In a written statement released Thursday morning, officials with the Meridian Fire Department said the cause of the Oct. 4 fire that killed 78-year old Charlie Russell appeared to have been an accident.

Detectives from the Meridian Police Department and MFD fire investigators determined the blaze that all but destroyed Russell's 30-year old mobile home began as a cooking fire.

The preliminary autopsy report from The Mississippi State Medical Examiner office lists the cause of death as smoke inhalation.

MFD firefighters were called to Russell's home at 8 p.m. and found it filled with black smoke. The flames were quickly extinquished. Russell's body was found near the back door. Officials at the scene said it appeared Russell was overpowered by the smoke as he tried to flee the mobile home.

        

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