Fire that killed former Clarksville Police officer, wife ruled accidental

[Guest Nicole]

CLARKSVILLE — The blaze that killed a retired Clarksville Police officer and his wife early Saturday morning struck at the most dangerous time for fires and no smoke detector was found in the home, said Clarksville Fire District Deputy Chief Ray Williams.

The fire has been ruled accidental and electrical in nature. State arson investigators went through the ruins with a dog but no accelerants or signs of foul play were found, Williams said.

Leo Richardson, 84, and Patricia Richardson, 77, died in their sleep of smoke inhalation, he said.

No smoke detectors were found in their home on Notgrass Road. Firefighters thought they found one Saturday but it turned out to be a carbon monoxide detector that only emitted a quiet beep when tested.

Williams said he grew up in the neighborhood where the Richardsons lived and remembers them as respected, kind people.

A nice couple

Leo Richardson was a Vietnam veteran who retired from the Army after 20 years before becoming a Clarksville Police officer.

According to city records, Williams joined the CPD Nov. 15, 1971, and served the department for 16 years.

In 1987, he joined the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and spent 70 hours each month teaching others the Bible, said church member Larry Cue.

Williams said he fondly remembers Patricia Richardson, a sweet woman of Hawaiian decent who once worked at a convenience store. A joint obituary says she was a homemaker.

"They were a nice couple," Williams said. "He was a good guy and people respected him. His wife was a nice lady, always in good spirits."

McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home will be handling arrangements.

The joint obituary says they are survived by seven children, 36 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Worst time for fire deaths

About 15 firefighters from three stations fought the blaze Saturday. It was reported at 2:52 a.m. and was under control at 3:42 a.m., Williams said.The fire appeared to have started in a garage that had been converted into a room and the source may have been a mini refrigerator.

The Richardsons were found in their bed. They were not burned by the fire, he said.

The hours between 2 and 4 a.m. are the most dangerous time for fires because that's when people are generally in the deepest sleep.

That's also when smoke detectors are most needed, Williams said.

Although family members thought there was a smoke detector in the home, firefighters were not able to find one. William urges everyone to have smoke detectors and check them regularly to make sure they function properly. He also recommends replacing any smoke detector over 10 years old.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/2016/09/13/fire-killed-former-clarksville-police-officer-wife-ruled-accidental/90259042/

[The Librarian]

Anyone know what state this is in?

[Joan Kennedy]

Tennessee