Fire Claims Life in Hardin

HARDIN, January 1, 2010 - The Hardin Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fully involved fire in a large travel trailer across the street from the Post Office in Hardin at 7:37 AM on New Year’s Day.

The fire claimed the life of the occupant of the trailer, Winston Smith a well known former teacher who was 83 years old.

According to Hardin Firefighter, Sean Webb, the trailer was fully involved in flames upon the arrival of the first responding firefighters and was threatening an adjacent warehouse structure on the property.

The radiant heat from the fire caused windows to break in the warehouse and started a fire in the wall of the two story building.

Justice of the Peace, Cody Parrish conducted the inquest and pronounced Smith death at the scene.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.