Three members of the same family perished in a fire that broke out on Live Oak Trail in Bradley County, Tennessee, near the Cleveland city limits, according to authorities.
The victims in the case have been identified as Benjamin Lawrence Sr., 93, Benjamin Lawrence Jr., 75 and Adrian Lawrence, 73, Adam Lewis, spokesperson for Bradley County Fire and Rescue said in a news release. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, district attorney’s office and Bradley County Fire and Rescue have now completed an investigation of the Sunday fire and the cause is “undermined” due to the extensive damage to the home.
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“It is with deep sadness that we provide an update on the tragic residential fire that occurred last night,” Lewis said in an email. “We can now confirm that all three victims have succumbed to their injuries. Tragically, Benjamin Lawrence Jr. was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other two victims, Benjamin Lawrence Sr. and Adrian Lawrence, were transported to Bradley Medical Center in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, both later passed away from their injuries.”
The call came in at 6:26 p.m. Sunday, and crews arrived to find heavy smoke and intense flames consuming the home, Bradley County authorities said in an earlier news release. Firefighters entered the home and discovered Adrian Lawrence and Benjamin Lawrence Sr. within minutes of their arrival.