Published: October 06, 2008 11:18 pm      

Early report of fire death released

Authorities said Monday afternoon Charlie Russell, 78, who died Saturday night when his mobile home caught fire, succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Neighbors said Russell has fallen asleep before with a lit cigarette, though officials have yet to rule on the exact cause of the fire. Some had speculated that the fire was intentional. But Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said the preliminary findings from the state medical examiner ruled the cause of death as smoke inhalation.

Meridian Fire Department Chief Jeff Homan said fire marshal's were sifting through the remains of the trailer again Monday morning. Homan said the investigation is still in progress. Results of the investigation could come today or Wednesday, he said.

"I don't like to push my fire marshal's for quick results," said Homan, who has yet to receive other autopsy results. "Plus, we are waiting on the findings of the medical examiners and their final determination of what caused his death. We want to make sure what we are seeing coincides with other information in the incident."

MFD firefighters were called to Russell's 30-year old mobile home located on the corner of Fifth Street and 38th Avenue at about 8 p.m. and found it filled with black smoke. The flames were quickly extinguished. 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.