An overloaded power strip is believed to be the cause of a houseboat fire that killed a Scottsboro couple and their dog. John and Emily Bruce (AL.com news partner WHNT-19)
Posted on May 23, 2017 at 11:51 AM
By Ashley Remkus
Fire officials believe John Bruce, 79 and his 69-year-old wife, Emily, were sleeping on their houseboat at Goose Pond Colony Marina when the electrical fire broke out early Monday.
"The fire appeared to start in the main quarters sitting area of the houseboat, igniting a couch," Scottsboro Fire Chief Gene Necklaus said in a news release. "The majority of the fire damage was confined to this area, with the sleeping areas of the vessel experiencing significant smoke damage. The cause of ignition appears to be electrical in nature, starting from an overloaded power strip."
The couple's dog "Lou" also was killed in the fire.
Fire Chief Gene Necklaus identified the victims as John Phillips Bruce, 79 and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Necklaus said the couple likely was sleeping when the fire broke out. The blaze may have awakened the Bruces, who attempted to escape before being overtaken by the smoke and heat, the chief said. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of their deaths.
No working smoke alarms were found in the boat, which was the Bruces' full-time home.
"The fire department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms wherever they sleep, including boats, campers and RVs," the chief said in the news release.
Thirty-five people have been killed by fires in Alabama this year, according to the State Fire Marshal.
Scottsboro police and fire departments along with the state fire marshal investigated the houseboat fire.
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Husband, wife and dog killed in Scottsboro houseboat fire
Updated on May 22, 2017 at 11:11 AM
By Ashley Remkus
A husband, wife and their dog were killed in a fire on their houseboat early this morning in Scottsboro.
Fire Chief Gene Necklaus identified the victims as John Phillips Bruce, 79 and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Necklaus said authorities were notified of the fire around 4:15 a.m. when neighbors smelled smoke and called 911.
Necklaus said the victims lived on the houseboat at Goose Pond Colony.
"It wasn't recreational," the chief said. "That's where they lived."
No other injuries or damage were reported.
"There were no smoke detectors found in the boat," Necklaus said. "Investigators are looking into the cause."
Additional details haven't yet been released.
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Daughter shares memories of couple killed in houseboat fire
Updated at 09:01PM, May 22, 2017
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - Scottsboro firefighters have identified the married couple killed in an early morning houseboat fire. They have been identified as John Phillips Bruce, 79, and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Fire investigators say it appears the couple died from smoke inhalation.
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The fire started around 4 a.m. on a boat at Goose Pond Colony. Firefighters tell us the people inside a neighboring houseboat called authorities when they noticed the fire.
The family's golden retriever also died in the fire.
The boat is registered in Tennessee.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Moving to Scottsboro was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the Bruces.
"I don't think one could have coped without the other. They loved each other that much," said their daughter, Mary Alexander.
For years, John and Emily Bruce dreamed of what life would be like after retirement.
"They owned a business in Tuscaloosa called Ms. Emily's tomatoes. They grew hydroponic tomatoes," said Alexander.
But living on the water was something Emily always wanted to do. "They bought them a house boat and came up to Scottsboro and been here ever since."
Their daughter never would have thought that two years later, her parents' dream would end in a nightmare. "I live in Chattanooga, so the police came to my house boat and let me know that there had been a fire."
Then they told her the news that both her parents were dead. "It's going to be hard moving on without them, but I'm glad that they're together."
Both were well known at Goose Pond Colony and well-loved.
Now, the Bruces will be remembered for their big personalities. "He was a Walmart greeter here in Scottsboro. Never met a stranger in his life."
And kind spirits. "She just.. she loved everybody. Anything you needed, she'd give you the shirt off her back."
The couple may have only lived in Scottsboro a couple of years but they were clearly part of the community.
and their loss will continue to be felt. "As strange as it sounds, I'm looking forward to hearing a lot of the stories that everyone else has to tell me, that knew them in ways I didn't, because like I said they never met strangers.
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2 killed in Scottsboro houseboat fire died of smoke inhalation
Monday, May 22nd 2017, 7:50 am EDT
Tuesday, May 23rd 2017, 1:04 pm EDT
By Amber Eady, Digital Content Producer
and Jake Berent, Reporter
SCOTTSBORO, AL (WAFF) - Officials with the Scottsboro Fire Department tell us two people died as a result of a houseboat fire at the Goose Pond Marina on Ed Hembree Drive on Monday morning.
The victims were identified as John and Emily Bruce. John Phillips Bruce was 79-years-old. Emily Nelson Bruce was 69-years-old. Investigators tell us their dog Lou, a golden retriever also died in the fire.
Officials also say the approximately 60-foot vessel was docked at Goosepond Colony Marina, Dock 6 and it was their primary residence. We know the fire was contained to one houseboat.
Investigators say the fire appeared to start in the main quarters sitting are of the houseboat, igniting a couch. The majority of the fire damage was confined to that area, with the sleeping areas of the vessel experiencing significant smoke damage. The cause of ignition appears to be electrical in nature, starting from an overloaded power strip.
Officials tell us the couple appeared to be asleep when the fire started and may have been awakened by the fire and attempting to escape the boat before being overtaken by the smoke and heat.
The cause of death for both victims is believed to be smoke inhalation.
The Scottsboro Fire Department Chief says the fire was contained inside the boat and firefighters fought the fire from the shore/dock.
The 911 call came from a neighboring boater who smelled smoke.
No working smoke alarms were found in the houseboat.