Farmville fire results in four injuries and two fatalities

Related News Articles and Information:

Longwood student Timothy Cocrane and his mother just before leaving VCU Medical Center four days after the fire. (Photo by Alexa Welch Edlund courtesy of Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Man who saved 3 in fire to be honored
(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8.5.08)
Cocrane receives White House flag (5.14.08)
Close to being brothers
(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3.9.07)
Recovering Hero Mourns Lost Friends
(Washington Post, 3.8.07)
Lifesaver in Farmville fire earns respect for bravery
(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3.8.07)
Letter from Longwood's President to the Students
(The Rotunda, 3.7.07)
Student hurt in fire to leave hospital
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Burned Student Improves
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Farmville mourns two fire victims
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Byron Lee Jamerson [left] and Edward Marshall Cunningham [right]

Friday 9 March 2007

Over 1000 people attended a memorial service for Longwood student Ed Cunningham and his friend Byron Jamerson at the Appomattox County High School auditorium last night.

Yesterday afternoon, Longwood student Timothy Cocrane and his parents, Rick and Debbie Cocrane, returned to campus to meet with friends and thank Longwood University for its help during this tragic time.

[Photo on Left] Dr. Chuck Ross, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, greets Tim Cocrane and his parents following Tim's release from VCU Medical Center. [Middle Photo] Tim Cocrane and Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president for student affairs. [Photo on Right] President Cormier greets Tim Cocrane's parents during their visit to campus.

Wednesday 7 March 2007

Timothy Cocrane Cocrane’s heroic efforts helped to save the lives of three occupants of the apartment.

The Memorial Service for Longwood student Ed Cunningham and his friend Byron Jamerson has been scheduled and the Longwood community is more than welcome to attend.

Thursday, March 8, 2007
Appomattox County High School Auditorium
5-6:45 p.m., visitation
7 p.m., memorial service
The visitation will continue following the service.

Directions to Appomattox County High School:
From 460 (Farmville/Richmond):

• Exit on first exit (460 business).  Go .3 mile.
• Take a left on Redfields Road (Hwy 635).  Go .6 mile.
• Turn right on Evergreen Avenue (Hwy 1002).
• Go .4 mile to ACHS on the left.  Corner of Hwy 727 and Evergreen Avenue.
• 198 Evergreen Avenue, Appomattox

The obituaries for Ed Cunningham and Byron Jamerson include information about memorializing Ed and Byron.

Sunday 4 March 2007

UPDATE: Longwood student Timothy Cocrane and former Longwood student Daniel Yates remain at MCV-Richmond today for further treatment of injuries sustained in yesterday’s fire in an off-campus apartment building. State officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the two individuals who perished in the fire.

[Photo on Left] Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Pierson meets with reporter Deborah Cox of WTVR—TV6 CBS from Richmond.

Saturday 3 March 2007

An early morning fire in an off-campus apartment house at 305 First Avenue in Farmville has injured two current Longwood University students and two former Longwood students.   Two fatalities have also been reported, but their identities have not yet been confirmed.

Injured in the fire was Samantha MacKenzie Fulton (Great Falls, Va.), a current Longwood student and resident of Stubbs Hall who was visiting friends in the house.  Fulton was treated at Southside Community Hospital  (SSCH) and released this morning.

Also injured were former Longwood students Daniel A. Yates Jr. (West Point, Va.)  and Scott Aaron Freer (Midlothian, Va.) both residents of the house.  Yates was sent to MCV in Richmond for further treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.  Freer was treated and released from SCH.

Also injured was Longwood student Timothy Michael Cocrane (Oak Hill, Va.), a resident of Cunningham Hall on campus,  who was walking in the neighborhood when he saw smoke and fire emanating from the house.  Cocrane broke into the house and alerted the residents, helping them to escape from the house through windows. Cocrane was treated at SCH and later sent to MCV for further treatment.

There were two confirmed fatalities in the fire, but identities are not being released until positive identification is confirmed by Virginia State Police and the Medical Examiner’s office.

The cause and origin of the fire, which was believed to have started around 5:15 a.m., is unknown at present.  Investigators from the Virginia State Police are on site conducting an official investigation.  The private residence was not affiliated with Longwood University.

The Longwood University counseling center will be working with students today.  Further information and updates about the fire and aftermath will be posted here.