Smithville Police have now released the names of the victims in Sunday’s mobile home fire on South Mountain Street.
Dead are 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, and 4 year old Caylix Johnson. Two others, 26 year old Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson were injured.
In a prepared news release, Police Chief Mark Collins reported that “Police responded to 1276 South Mountain Street Sunday, December 4 at 12:16 p.m. for a structure fire with people possibly still in the residence. Five people were inside thehome at the time of the fire including 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, 26 year old Heather Standridge, and her two children 4 year old Caylix Johnson, and 23 month old Brantley Johnson”.
According to Chief Collins, ” Jeremy Shelton and Crystal Fults perished in the fire. The children were rescued from the fire by Smithville firefighter, Lt. John Poss and a passerby, Jerry Estes. Estes was passing the residence when he saw the trailer on fire and Heather Standridge standing outside the trailer yelling that her children were still inside. Mr. Estes then climbed through the window where the children were reported to be and rescued 23 month old Brantley Johnson. A short time later, Lt. Poss arrived on scene where he entered the structure and rescued four year old Caylix Johnson who later passed away at the hospital. Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson are currently in ICU at Vanderbilt”.
The investigation is still underway by the Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, and the Tennessee Fire Marshall’s Office. Chief Collins said the official cause of fire at this time is still undetermined.