Joe Lynn Sanders dies in house fire

A fire just north of Rector claimed the life of a local man Friday afternoon, April 17. According to a report based on information gathered by the Rector Fire Department, Clay County Sheriff's Department and the county coroner's office, Joe Lynn Sanders, 54, likely died from smoke inhalation at his 9486 Highway 90 residence.

According to the report, a passerby contacted the department after noticing heavy smoke coming from the home at approximately 2:30 p.m. When crews arrived at the scene, the home was almost completely engulfed in flames. The fire had spread to Sanders' Ford pickup parked in the front yard.

Two fire trucks and several firefighters battled the blaze. While a group of firefighters fought back the flames from the truck, two teams battled the blaze head-on, while yet another team doused the fire in the rear to enter the home through the back door.

Once the initial fire had been knocked down, a vent was used near the front entrance to clear the smoke from the residence, allowing teams to enter from both the front and the rear. Sanders' body was discovered just inside the back entrance in a utility room.

From his position, it was determined Sanders possibly had gone outside and then re-entered the home. Investigators believe Sanders may have fallen asleep while smoking, igniting a blanket. The report said that, based on evidence gathered at the scene, it appeared the fire spread on the blanket, awakening Sanders, who then took the blanket and a burning sofa cushion outside to extinguish them. Investigators believe that when he returned to the house, possibly with the hope of extinguishing the flames inside, he was quickly overcome by smoke. Clay County Coroner Paul Hoggard pronounced Sanders dead at the scene.

The body was transported by the coroner. Fire crews remained at the scene for approximately two hours to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.