More Details Released on Double-Fatality Fire

NEW SUMMERFIELD � Cherokee County authorities have released more information on a weekend fire that killed two people. According to a news release, just before 6:45 Sunday evening, the Cherokee County Sheriff�s Office received a call on 9-1-1 about a trailer house on fire. The trailer was located on the property of Joe Smith plant farm, on Highway 79 east of Jacksonville, at the intersection of County Road 4208. The New Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department and sheriff�s deputies were the first to respond to the location. Upon their arrival it was discovered that at least two occupants were in the house at the time the fire started.

Assistance was requested from the Jacksonville Fire Department and volunteer fire departments from North Cherokee and Gallatin. Two ambulances were called to the scene, but only one occupant was rushed to East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville. Pronounced deceased at the scene was Heather Dawn Welch, the 32-year-old mother of the 3-year-old child transported to ETMC. The child, Linda Lee Welch, despite efforts by medical staff, was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office were also on scene and have since returned to the residence in an ongoing effort into the possible origin and cause of the fire. The investigation is still ongoing and no other details are available, according to the news release. Both victims were taken to Forensic Medical Of Texas in Tyler, and the preliminary results were received just before noon Tuesday, which indicates both victims succumbed to smoke inhalation.