Volunteers respond to deadly home fire on Countryside Drive

At 12:51 p.m., Jan. 6, 2026, Cherry Creek, BonDeCroft, and Eastland volunteer fire departments were dispatched to a structure fire, at 213 Countryside Drive, off Monterey Highway, with an occupant trapped inside.

Central View Chief Matt McBride responded and quickly requested a countywide assignment for an engine, tankers, and manpower. Chief McBride arrived first to find heavy fire conditions in the front of the home. Doyle Volunteer Fire Department, Engine 1, was the first arriving apparatus and, with personnel already on-scene from multiple departments, immediately began an aggressive attack and search.

As the fire was being brought under control, crews located the deceased occupant. Crews remained on scene until 5:15 p.m.

The following departments had personnel on-scene: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department, BonDeCroft Volunteer Fire Department, Central View Volunteer Fire Department, Sparta Fire Department, Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department, NorthEnd Volunteer Fire Department, and Hickory Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

Doyle Fire Chief Jason Sparks said, “We are so thankful for our professional volunteers that are willing to serve others.”

Other agencies assisting were White County Emergency Medical Service, White County Sheriff's Office, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.