Fire kills McNairy County man

Nov. 4– A 51-year-old McNairy County resident is believed to have died when his double-wide mobile home caught fire early Tuesday morning.

A male body suspected to be that of Gary Cole has been sent for autopsy, said McNairy County Fire Chief Darrell Goodrum.

"He’s missing," he said. "They’re assuming that’s who it was."

Goodrum said a neighbor smelled smoke around 2 a.m. and reported the blaze at 5078 Hardin’s Graveyard Road, located between Milledgeville and Leapwood.

Volunteer firefighters from those and other communities arrived to find the dwelling fully involved.

According to the chief, the victim’s wife and child were not present at the time of the fire.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating to determine the fire’s origin and cause.