Monday, an early morning residential fire took the life of a Poplarville resident, Pearl River County Fire Marshal Albert Lee said.
At 8:53 a.m., a passing postal worker called 911 and reported seeing smoke coming from all the windows at a home located at 1798 DuPont-Harts Chapel Road, Lee said.
“A neighbor also informed us that there was a semi-bedridden lady inside,” Lee said “Emergency services arrived on scene at 9:06 a.m.”
Firefighters from the Poplarville Fire Department, Derby Whitesand, Northeast, McNeill and Steephollow Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the fire, Lee said.
Upon entering the home, firefighters knocked down the fire and discovered the victim, Lee said.
The victim has been identified as 61-year-old Connie Tillman, Lee said.
“Through an investigation conducted by myself and Deputy Fire Marshal Kevin Martin, the cause of the fire appears to be a stove malfunction,” Lee said.
Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said the preliminary cause of death was due to smoke and soot inhalation.