Three Victims Recovered in Oktibbeha Co. House Fire

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss, – (PRESS RELEASE) On January 9, 2013, at approximately 11:55 A.M. the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office responded to 36 Bardwell Rd. to assist the Oktibbeha County Fire Department for a structure fire. At the time of the incident, there were three individuals unaccounted for.

The structure was a total loss and as soon as possible, deputies, fireman from Oktibbeha County, officers from MSU Police Department and officers from the State Fire Marshall’s Office began a search of the property. The search continued into the night of January 9th and was called off at 11:30 P.M. due to the smoke and hotspots that were becoming a danger.

The search resumed at 8:30 A.M. on January 10th. Three individuals were located deceased in the structure fire. The bodies were sent to the Mississippi Crime Lab for an autopsy and identification. The victims are believed to be as follows:

Geraldine Bradford Rice of 2210 Williams Rd., Starkville, Ms 48 years of age

Samuel Razi Morris of 36 Bardwell Rd., Starkville, Ms 23 years of age

Celia Craig Robson of 36 Bardwell Rd., Starkville, Ms 92 years of age

George Robson, the husband of Celia Robson survived the fire. Based on the evidence of the scene, authorities believe that Mr. Robson survived due to the heroic actions of Geraldine Rice and Samuel Morris. It is believed that Ms Rice and Mr. Morris were able to get Mr. George Robson out of the home and returned to get Mrs. Celia Robson and were not able to get her or themselves to safety.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.