Despite their efforts, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department responded to a house fire at 914 Kirkwood Ave. just after 6 p.m. Monday that left one person dead and three without a home, according to a news release.
The victim, Jack E. Forrest, 81, was a former MTSU professor who volunteered to teach Sunday school at Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro.
Forrest was survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Forrest, their four children, three grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other loving family and friends.
The three surviving residents have been displaced and were assisted by the American Red Cross.
When MFRD crews arrived at the fire, they discovered heavy smoke coming from the roof and eaves of the home. But dispatch had notified the crews that the caller believed there was someone still inside the home.
Firefighters made entry, and despite their best search and rescue efforts, a heavy fire load and extreme heat made the victim inaccessible. Due to the unsafe conditions, crews had to exit the home.
Battalion Chief Mark McCluskey said the fire took quite a while to extinguish. The body of the deceased was located once the fire was out and conditions were safe to re-enter the home.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
The Fire Marshal was called to conduct a routine investigation, starting with an initial investigation Monday night, but will be back out in the morning to continue, McCluskey said.