A historic Tennessee funeral home, a staple in the Jellico community for more than a century, has been labeled a "total loss" following a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon. WBIR reported that the blaze at Cox & Son Funeral Home began around 2:15 p.m., with no injuries reported. Jellico Mayor Sandy Terry and Cox & Son themselves have confirmed the extent of the damage to the longstanding funeral home.
Despite the devastating loss of the structure, the funeral home managed to act quickly, salvaging most of the important documents, including prearranged files and death certificates. "All of us at Cox & Son Funeral Home are devastated at the fire and loss we have experienced today. Despite the circumstances, we are thankful that there are no injuries and that we were able to save most important documents including prearranged files, death certificates, and other important papers," Cox & Son stated in a post reported by WBIR. The funeral home expressed gratitude towards the community and first responders who worked to contain the fire. They also assured the public that they have a continuity plan for servicing clients during this challenging period.
The response to the tragic incident involved multiple agencies, with Mayor Terry thanking organizations such as the Jellico Rescue Squad, Jellico Fire Department, and Jellico Police Department, among others, in her statement. The collaborative efforts of these teams were instrumental in managing the situation.
As the community begins to process the loss of such a historical building, a symbol of service and dignity in times of grief, the owners of Cox & Son Funeral Home have made it clear that their commitment to the community stands unwavering. They emphasized this commitment in their social media posts, which were echoed by Jellico's local leadership. According to WATE's interview with Fire Chief Jimmy Pack, the building is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and officials will still be looking to thoroughly assess the damage in the coming days.
