Two Dead in Henry County Fire
HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. – Investigators in Henry County are trying to determine what started a fire that killed a couple and destroyed their home late Thursday night. Neighbors of the Braddys called 911 as soon as they could, but it was too late. “We were hoping and praying that no one was in there, but of course we found out later on that they were there,” said neighbor Angela McDonald. Firefighters were there within minutes. Henry County investigators said they found the bodies of Gary and Frankie Braddy close to the back door shortly after the fire was under control. They believe the husband and wife were trying to escape their mobile home as it went up in flames, but the smoke was just too much. “Just thinking about it last night, it just still…makes you kinda quiver,” McDonald said. Officials are looking into what caused the fire and where it started. They said right now it does not look suspicious. Sheriff Monte Belew said the couple had a smoke alarm inside their home, but he did not know if it was working. “Check your fire detector, smoke detector, and make sure it’s working properly, it’s got proper batteries in it. It could save your life one day, and this is a prime example,” Belew said. What friends and neighbors said happened to the Braddys was terrible. They were good people. “We’d sit out on the porch. They’d sit out on the porch, just real friendly,” McDonald said. “It’s real sad to know that that happened. I mean, it’s sad to know it happened to anybody, but when you live right beside someone, it hits home.” McDonald said she will miss the Braddys, because even though they were her neighbors, they were like family. Investigators said the victims’ bodies have been taken to Nashville for autopsies, which will help determine their exact cause of death.
