Pre-Dawn Blaze on Old Russellville Pike Leaves One Dead

An early-morning fire in Hamblen County turned deadly Friday, killing at least one person and drawing a swift response from emergency crews in the Russellville area, officials said. The blaze was reported shortly after dawn, and firefighters and deputies moved in quickly as calls came in from the scene.

The fire broke out in the 5700 block of Old Russellville Pike, where Hamblen County Sheriff Chad Mullins confirmed his office is investigating the incident, according to WATE. The station also reported that a news crew was on the way while deputies and first responders worked to secure the area around the fire.

Officials Investigating

"The sheriff's office is actively investigating the fire," Mullins told WATE. Authorities have not yet released the name of the person who died, and investigators say both the origin and cause of the blaze are still under review.

The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office lists Chad A. Mullins as sheriff and maintains its headquarters in Morristown, according to the Hamblen County Sheriff's Office. Investigators have not given a timetable for determining how the fire started, and officials have asked that details be released only as they become available while the probe continues.