Woman Killed, Man Flown To Erlanger After Fire At Rome Inn

Monday, November 14, 2005
Coral River Bed and Breakfast Inn before the fire. Click to enlarge.
Coral River Bed and Breakfast Inn before the fire. Click to enlarge.
- photo by John Wilson

A 25-year-old woman was killed and her husband was flown to Erlanger Medical Center in critical condition after a fire early Sunday at a bed and breakfast inn at Rome, Ga.

Jill Renee Andrews, 25, died in the fire at the Coral River Bed and Breakfast just outside downtown Rome.

Her husband, Billy Ray Andrews, 33, jumped from a second story window and was airlifted to Erlanger.

The couple is from Houston, Tex.

Police said the fire apparently started about 1:30 a.m. on the front porch of the historic residence in a neighborhood where a number of old homes are being renovated.

There were five other guests, the owner and a worker who made it out uninjured.

The house was built around 1890 and was known as the Hillyer House for its original owner, Rome Judge Junius P. Hillyer.

It suffered extensive damage with most of the roof destroyed, according to the Rome News-Tribune.

The husband and wife team of Tim and Rey Struttmann had purchased the house last year and extensively renovated it.

The Rome Historical Society recently held a reception on the inn's front porch and there was a tour of homes in the neighborhood.



Jelena Butler To Officially Announce As Assessor Candidate

Jelena Butler will officially announce her intent to run for Hamilton County Assessor of Property at the Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women’s Club meeting on Tuesday. She is currently a director in sales and leasing at Keller Williams Commercial.   Ms. Butler said she is running because, “Sixteen years is a long time to leave a vital function unchallenged. Hamilton ... (click for more)

Firefighters Save Dog In House Fire

An alert neighbor and a quick response from Chattanooga firefighters kept and entire house from going up in flames.  When Will Fix stepped out his front door Monday afternoon he saw smoke billowing out of his neighbor's house. Mr. Fix told firefighters that he kicked the front door open and yelled to alert anyone in the house to get out.  No one was home, but ... (click for more)

Thank You, Judge Mattice And Chattanooga

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: What 17 Pills Did To Me

Ah, step into my parlor of first-hand wisdom because, in the School of Hard Knocks, there are priceless lessons that you should know before it becomes your turn to dance. Never in my life have I ever had any back problems but, in early December, I came down with what is called sciatica and I have been a miserable man ever since. There are two big nerves that sprout out of the ... (click for more)

Lady Mocs Host Georgia Southern Monday On Autograph Night

The Lady Mocs will be gunning for their 13th SoCon victory Monday night when they host Georgia Southern at McKenzie Arena at 7 p. m. Following the game, the Lady Mocs players and coaches will be courtside for an autograph session. The Lady Mocs and the Eagles have met 48 times with UTC holding a 30-18 advantage. At home, Chattanooga is 18-4 against Georgia Southern but struggle ... (click for more)

Jay Fowler, Chris Walker To Speak at Quarterback Club

Jay Fowler and Chris Walker of Fellowship of Christian Athletes are the guest speakers for Monday's Chttanooga Quarterback Club at Finley Stadium at noon. Fowler, a Tyner and West Point graduate,  is the director of The Greater Chattanooga FCA, while Walker, a former University of Tennessee football player, is the FCA campus director for the Chattanooga ... (click for more)