A charred shell is all that is left of a home just outside of Bangs which was engulfed in flames shortly after 6:00am Tuesday, October 4th, resulting in the death of one man.
According to Brown County Sherriff’s officials, the cause of the fire that engulfed the mobile home at 201 FM 1849, approximately 2 miles outside of Bangs, Texas, is not known and is currently under investigation.
The mobile home with an addition was reported by multiple callers as being fully engulfed in flames at 6:12am. Bangs Volunteer Fire Department pumper truck 739 was the first fire unit on the scene, assisted by other Bangs VFD units, Brownwood Fire Department and Lake Bridge VFD. Brown County Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Criminal Investigation officers were dispatched to investigate the scene of the fire along with Fire Marshal Buddy Preston.
After firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, the body of 71-year-old Robert Knief was found in what appears to have been the living room of the residence. Because the cause of the fire has not been determined, Knief’s body has been sent to the Tarrant County Coroner’s office for an autopsy to determine if he passed away prior to the fire or as a result of the fire, according to BCSO officials. The cause of the fire and the results of the autopsy will be returned in a few days. Law enforcement did not indicate any evidence of foul play Tuesday morning.
Next of kin has been notified of Mr. Knief’s passing and the devastating fire.
“They lost everything,” said BCSO Sgt. Lana Guthrie. “We will be contacting the Red Cross to get the family help.”
Guthrie explained that Mrs. Knief had left the home to go to work around 5:00am and her husband was awake at the time. She was notified and returned to her home to be consoled by friends and church members who came to the scene of the fire, according to officials.
A nearby car’s grill and lights were melted, but a storage building was spared thanks to the efforts of fire crews.
Scene of the fire.
Firecrews from Lake Bridge VFD load up their hoses.
Firefighters leaving the scene of the fatal fire.