NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. — A Community Mourns After Devastating House Fire Claims Two Lives
Newberry County is grieving after an early morning house fire on Friday claimed the lives of two residents, leaving a community shaken and searching for answers. The tragedy unfolded on Windsong Hill Drive around 6:30 a.m., when emergency dispatchers received reports of a home engulfed in flames. What followed was a coordinated, urgent response by multiple fire departments and law enforcement agencies—yet the intensity of the blaze made the situation heartbreakingly dire from the moment crews arrived.
According to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were met with heavy fire conditions that made entering the home impossible. Despite their immediate efforts to knock down the flames, the fire had already taken a devastating toll. Once conditions stabilized enough for crews to search the interior, two bodies were discovered.
Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece later identified the victims as 44-year-old April Nicole Sutton Long and 73-year-old Leroy Seegers, both residents of Silverstreet. Their loss is deeply felt by family members, loved ones, and the close-knit communities of Silverstreet and Newberry County. Autopsies for both victims have been scheduled in the coming week to assist in determining the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Two other residents of the home were not present at the time of the fire, a fact that brings a bittersweet sense of relief amid an otherwise overwhelming tragedy.
Silverstreet Fire Chief Michael Parker described the incident as nothing short of heartbreaking, acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on both the families involved and the first responders who worked tirelessly that morning.
“Our thoughts and deepest prayers go out to the family, friends, and all who are grieving this tragic loss,”
— Chief Michael Parker, Silverstreet Fire Department
His words reflect the heartbreak felt throughout the county, as residents express sympathy and support for those impacted.
State and local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, working to uncover what ignited the blaze that claimed two cherished lives. Investigators are expected to review structural damage, witness statements, and findings from the upcoming autopsies to piece together a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the tragedy.
In the wake of the fire, the community has rallied together—neighbors offering comfort, sharing memories, and supporting the surviving residents who must now cope with the unimaginable loss and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. April Nicole Sutton Long and Leroy Seegers are remembered not for the circumstances of their passing, but for the lives they lived and the legacies they leave behind in the hearts of those who knew them.
As Newberry County mourns, the tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of togetherness in the face of sorrow. State and local officials will continue their efforts to determine the cause of the fire, but for now, the focus remains on healing, remembrance, and honoring the lives lost far too soon.
