One Dies In Apartment Fire

A West Tawakoni man died Saturday in a late-night apartment fire.

Police Chief Jack Schultz said Christopher Smith, 36, died in his Apartment 220 at Wagon Wheel Apartments on State Highway 276 in West Tawakoni.

The fire was reported at approximately 11:30 p.m. "We believe the fire started in the upstairs north apartment," Schultz said, corresponding to the unit occupied by Smith.

He said there were four apartments in the complex with two located upstairs and two downstairs. He said all four were a total loss.

"My officers and a couple of citizens were able to wake everyone else and get them out," Schultz said.

"The cause of the fire is undetermined," the police chief said and stated officials were waiting on the fire marshal. He said Smith’s body had been taken to Dallas Forensics for autopsy.

"Right now, we believe it was an accidental fire, possibly caused by a lit cigarette, but we won’t have a definitive answer until the investigation is complete," Schultz said.