In the early hours of Saturday, June 3, a devastating fire engulfed a mobile home in the 100 block of Stanley Road, leading to the unfortunate death of a Shongaloo resident. The Springhill, Shongaloo, and Cullen Fire Departments responded swiftly to the scene, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to save the life of 53-year-old Joseph Stanley Jr.
Springhill Fire Chief Michael Morse recounted the harrowing details of the incident, stating, “We had to treat it as a defensive attack due to how much of the total structure was involved. After we got a decent portion of the fire knocked down from the outside, me and one other Springhill guy transitioned to an interior attack, so that we could hit the fire better and look for the body.”
The initial units arrived at the location at 3:40 a.m., battling the raging flames that had already engulfed the mobile home. Recognizing the need for additional resources, the Sarepta Fire Department was called in for extra water and manpower at 4:05 a.m.
At 4:16 a.m., the courageous firefighters braved the intense heat and dense smoke, entering the burning structure in a desperate search for Joseph Stanley Jr. It was a race against time as they navigated through the treacherous conditions, determined to locate any signs of life.
Sadly, at 4:22 a.m., the grim discovery was made. The body of Joseph Stanley Jr. was found within the remnants of what was once his home. The heartbreaking outcome left the tight-knit community of Shongaloo mourning the loss of one of their own.
Investigators believe that Joseph Stanley Jr. intentionally set the fire that ultimately claimed his own life. The reasons behind this tragic act remain unknown, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.