Fire breaks out at local funeral home

Units of the Jasper Fire Department were dispatched to 1558 North Fletcher Street, shortly after 2:00, on Wednesday afternoon, when it was reported that fire had broken out at Coleman’s Mortuary.

The owner of the business, Dory Coleman, said that he had just arrived in his early model Chrysler sedan and went into his office, when he heard a popping noise and looked out the window to see that the car was on fire.

Coleman said the flames quickly spread from the burning vehicle to the ceiling of the carport it was parked in, on the north side of the building, and into the attic. However, the firemen were able to extinguish the blaze before it made it to the main part of the frame and brick structure.

As the afternoon temperatures reached 101 degrees, the firemen, who were assisted by local police and several city workers, along with animal control officer Ted Byerly, finally brought the fire under control and then stood by to make sure that it did not rekindle.

Arrangements were underway for two people who recently died in the area and their bodies were lying in state at the funeral home. However, firemen said the bodies were not in the end of the building affected by the fire.

Coleman said that he had recently experienced mechanical problems with the car, but that he did not know what caused the fire. Coleman said the business, which is one of the oldest in town, would continue to operate and serve the needs of the community.

No injuries resulted from the incident.

The staff of the mortuary announced later in the day that a wake service to be held there on Wednesday evening for Paul Erick Adams, 46, of Jasper, would instead, be held at the Greater New Bethel Baptist Church at 1288 East Martin Luther King Drive, between the hours on 6:00 and 8:00 PM.

By Mike Lout
KJAS Radio