County man killed in house fire

Area News

April 19, 2007

By Heather Mullinix / hmullinix@crossville-chronicle.com The Crossville Chronicle Thu Apr 19, 2007, 02:55 PM CDT

A Cumberland County man is dead following what is thought to be an accidental fire Monday night.

Cumberland County Fire Chief Jeff Dodson said Charles McGonicle, 73, of Little Randolph Rd., was found just inside the door of the residence. McGonicle was confined to a wheelchair, Dodson said, and that may have hindered his escape from the home. McGonicle’s wife had been hospitalized earlier in the day, and Mr. McGonicle was home alone.

Firefighters received the call at 10:38 p.m. Monday and arrived on the scene six minutes later to find the home heavily involved, with fire coming out of the eaves, front window and doors, Dodson said.

No cause for the fire has been determined at this time, though Dodson said the living room was likely the room of origin. McGonicle was likely in the room of origin when the fire began. There were signs of an explosion at the residence, but Dodson did not know if the explosion resulted from the fire, or if the fire was the result of an explosion. McGonicle used oxygen and operated a small engine repair shop at the residence, both of which may have been contributing factors, he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Dodson said, but he believed the fire was accidental.

A total of 18 firefighters responded to the call, with Plateau, Mayland, Pleasant Hill and the main station responding.

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