Alabama fire investigators are on the scene of a deadly fire in Phenix City where four people died of possible smoke inhalation. Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry identified the family as 77-year-old Willey Chappell, 70-year-old Sarah Chappell, 40-year-old Vantice Williams and 6-year-old Paradise Williams.
The four victims were pronounced dead on the scene of 915 Wehring Lane at 8:30 p.m., October 13, 2025. All four bodies were transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Montgomery for autopsies, but preliminary findings indicate the four died from smoke inhalation.
The outside of the house didn’t appear to have any structural damage. Special Agent Jay Brice with the ALDOI criminal investigations division said fire investigators are on the scene working to determine the cause of the fire.
