Suspected murder-suicide in Sequatchie, Tennessee house fire leaves 6 dead

Six people were found dead, including two children, inside a home in rural Tennessee after what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide.

Deputies responded Thursday night to reports of a shooting at a residence on Pine Street in the unincorporated area known as Sequatchie, Marion County Sheriff Bo Burnett told News Channel 9. When they arrived on the scene, the home was consumed in flames.

Firefighters also responded and were able to contain the blaze. When authorities were able to enter the residence, they found six people dead.

Burnett said some of the victims were shot, though it’s unclear how many. He noted that at least two people died from smoke inhalation.

The names and ages of the victims have not been released. Burnett said two children, their mother and grandmother were among the dead.

One survivor, an adult, was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound.

A neighbor said they heard five shots at about 8 p.m.

Authorities provided few other details, but Burnett described it as a “domestic situation” that was “ongoing for a pretty good while.”

The name of the suspect has not been released.

“This is one of the worst things I’ve seen. You hear about these things but this is one of the worst I’ve been involved in all my career as a law enforcement officer,” said Burnett, who has been in law enforcement for more than 40 years.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing.