Two were found dead inside a burned house on Prentiss Bridge Road last week. The fire is still under investigation.
The fire was reported around 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 896 Prentiss Bridge Road.
“Emergency services responded promptly to the distress call, but despite their best efforts, two individuals were found deceased,” stated a release from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. “The Clarks Chapel Fire Department, along with neighboring fire departments, swiftly responded, battling intense flames for several hours, and managed to contain and extinguish the fire.”
The interior of the house and two vehicles were destroyed. Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue was the primary responder, assisted by the Franklin and Otto Fire and Rescue departments and Macon County EMS.
MCSO Captain Jonathan Phillips confirmed the victims were Irene Witherspoon, age 77, and Nathaniel Witherspoon, 75.
The MCSO, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the Macon County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this devastating fire,” said Sheriff Brent Holbrooks. “Our dedicated firefighters worked diligently to control the blaze and provide assistance as we worked the scene. We will collaborate with the State Bureau of Investigation to thoroughly investigate the incident and ascertain the root cause.”
This fire was one of several in Macon County over a multiple-day period. On Thursday, Jan. 4, Franklin Fire and Rescue crews responded to a structure fire at 269 Green Street, assisted by Clarks Chapel and West Macon Fire and Rescue departments, plus Macon County Fire Services.
“The source of the smoke was quickly located and damage was minimal and there were no injuries,” Macon County Fire Marshal Jimmy Teem stated. The malfunction of a stove caused the fire.
At 4:42 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, Cullasaja Fire and Rescue crews responded to a chimney fire at 147 Dills Knob Road.
“First arriving crews found a fully involved residential structure fire,” Teem said of the Dills Knob Road fire. “They were assisted by Franklin and Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue Departments. The structure was a total loss and there were no injuries.” The Macon County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating that fire.
On Sunday, Jan. 7, Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire on Slope Drive and got it under control within 20 minutes. There were no injuries, but the occupants were displaced, Clarks Chapel stated. Franklin and Otto Fire and Rescue assisted. Teems said it looked like it started in the living room in the vicinity of a heater.