Madison County officials identify man killed in morning fire

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Madison County Fire Department has identified a man killed early Monday morning in a house fire as 72-year-old Joe D. Collins.

Collins is a retired Jackson Fire Department firefighter.

Turner said the fire broke out around 6 a.m. Monday at a house on Hopper Barker Road. Firefighters said they found Collins dead inside. The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical short in a multi-outlet plug in the living room of the home, according to Fire Marshal Don Friddle.

Turner said it took crews about 30 minutes to get the fire under control. Deputies shut down the road for several hours while crews worked to put out the fire.

Firefighters said Tennessee Bomb and Arson investigators along with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office are helping with the investigation.

Fire investigators found working smoke alarms inside the home.