Structure Fire Claims 2 Lives

Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire in which two of the occupants at 66 Pine Grove Drive, Andrews, North Carolina were found deceased.

Shortly before 5 am on November 23, 2015, Cherokee County Communications received a call from Lorinda Parker, resident, at 66 Pine Grove Drive, Andrews, North Carolina stating that the home was on fire and that there were two other occupants that she was not able to get out. Parker then returned to a bedroom and broke a window and escaped the burning residence.

Valleytown Fire Department responded and requested additional assistance from Murphy Fire Department. During the response to the fire, 78-year-old Loretta Parker and 59-year-old Teresa Parker were found deceased in the structure.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by a resident Agent of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are conducting an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.

Initial findings would indicate that the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen where someone had been cooking. There were also indications that attempts had been made to put the fire our which was unsuccessful.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “I want to express our deepest sympathies during this time of loss.  Our thoughts and prayers go out the family and loved ones of the deceased. I also want to thank Valleytown Fire Department, Murphy Fire Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Andrews Police Department for all the assistance in this very sad matter.”