By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–A Henry County man lost his life in a fire Saturday night. David M. Ditto Jr. (11-25-42) was inside, however, we are awaiting positive identification from the medical examiner’s office once an autopsy is complete. The investigation also revealed that there were no suspected signs of foul play involved. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Oakland and Springville volunteer fire departments, the Henry County Rescue Squad and TN State Bomb and Arson for their assistance during this incident.
Oakland Volunteer Firefighters were dispatched to 2495 Hwy. 69S at 7:32 p.m. on a report of a structure fire.
Chief James Martin said upon arrival, firefighters found the home 80 percent engulfed in flames. “Due to the heavy involvement of the flames, we were unable to make entry into the home,” he said.
The home was completely destroyed and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, he said.
Mutual aid was provided by the Springville Volunteer Fire Department and the Paris Fire Department, with additional mutual aid from the Paris-Henry County Rescue squad which assisted with recovery efforts.
Martin told WENK/WTPR that the Oakland Department had three trucks and 12 firefighters on scene; Springville had one truck and four firefighters, and Paris Fire sent two trucks and four firefighters.
Photo: Photo from the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department pumper dash cam shows John Valentine of Oakland Fire and Chuck Asher from Springville Fire.
