The investigation of a fire that claimed two lives Saturday morning at 3933 Brookcrest Dr. in Bradley County is continuing, officials said.
At this time the team of investigators has been unable to rule out two possible ignition sources - three electric space heaters that were in use in the area of origin and a cigarette, so the cause is undetermined.
The fire started in the basement and spread to the upstairs through an open door at the top of a stairway leading to the main level of the house.
The investigation was conducted by Fire Investigator Donnie Sullivan of the Cleveland Fire Department, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.
Investigators were told there were smoke detectors in the house. However they were not functioning at the time of the fire.
A 9-1-1 call was received at 4:58 a.m. that the residence was on fire. A Bradley County deputy sheriff responded to the call and arrived within minutes, finding the house fully engulfed in flames.
Any attempt to rescue the victims by the deputy or neighbors was not possible due to the intensity of the fire.
The victims were identified as Ronald David Wilson, 53, and his wife, Joyce
Wilson, 52.
Two other people, a son and grandson of the victims, were able to escape.
The Cleveland Fire Department arrived eight minutes after the call was received. The investigation includes the Bradley County Sheriff's Department's Criminal Investigation Division, Fire Investigator Donnie Sullivan of the Cleveland Fire Department, and the State Bomb and Arson Bureau of the State Fire Marshall's Office. Also assisting are the Bradley County Rescue Squad and the Bradley County Emergency Medical Service.
At this time the cause of the fire has not been determined.