HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. — A woman is dead after a house fire in Hawkins County, according to the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies were called to 107 Knights II, in Rogersville, around 7 p.m. on Sunday, HCSO said.
Before arrival, it was communicated with deputies that there were trash barrels burning behind the house and that the barrels were approximately 10 feet from the back of the house, according to HCSO.
Upon arrival, deputies noticed the house was fully engulfed in flames. An RV that was located on the property was also fully engulfed, HCSO said.
Banner Skeen, Johnny Lawson, Rebecca Armstrong, William Billy Winstead and Edith Winstead were all hurt in the fire. The sixth victim, 75-year-old Mary Lawson, died as a result of her injuries, according to HCSO.
Skeen was taken to the Holston Valley Medical Center while Armstrong and Johnny Lawson were taken to the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital, HCSO said.
Armstrong spoke to deputies in the emergency room and told them that Johnny Lawson was burning trash in barrels behind the residence. One of the barrels overturned onto the carport due to windy conditions, according to HCSO.
Armstrong told deputies she walked to the kitchen and immediately saw flames in the house, HCSO said.
Armstrong also told deputies that she began helping everyone out of the house, including Mary Lawson, who was bedridden, according to HCSO.
Edith and William Winstead were staying in the RV located on the property, HCSO said.
Fire investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are assisting HCSO in the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
