78-year-old man dies after brush fire spreads
78-year-old man dies after brush fire spreads
15 September 2010
published by www.ketknbc.com
USA — Bill Franklin Smith, a 78-year-old from Nacogdoches County, died after an apparent brush fire spread across his yard and to his home.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department officers responded to a 911 report of a structure fire at a house on County Road 282 When they arrived, they discovered Smith’s body on the ground with a rake in his hand.
Family members said Smith routinely burned brush on his property, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The dry conditions may have contributed to the fire’s spread and it seemed as if Smith attempted to put the fire out, according to the release.
The investigation into Smith’s cause of death is ongoing because it is unclear whether he died from the smoke or from a possible heart attack.
The case will remain open until an autopsy is performed.
