Law enforcement officers are at 915 Wehring Lane in Phenix City the morning of Oct. 14, 2025, after four members of a family died in a house fire the previous night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. The cause of death is due to “possible smoke inhalation,” Sumbry said., and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Mike Haskey
mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
Four members of a family died in a Phenix City house fire Monday night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr.
Sumbry told the Ledger-Enquirer the following people were pronounced dead at 8:31 p.m. at 915 Wehring Lane:
Willey Chappell, 77, husband
Sarah Chappell, 70, wife
Vantice Williams, 40, family member
Paradise Williams, 6, family member.
The cause of death is due to “possible smoke inhalation,” Sumbry said., and the cause of the fire was under investigation Tuesday morning.
The house at 915 Wehring Lane in Phenix City is pictured Oct. 14, 2025, where four family members died in a fire the previous night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
Officers from the Phenix City Police Department joined investigators from the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office at the scene Tuesday morning. But PCPD Capt. Darrell “Skip” Lassiter Jr. told the Ledger-Enquirer the police were sent there to provide security and the department isn’t investigating the incident as a possible crime.
Phenix City Fire and Rescue Chief Kristin Kennedy deferred the Ledger-Enquirer’s questions about the investigation to the state fire marshal’s office, which wasn’t reached for comment before publication.
Law enforcement officers are at 915 Wehring Lane in Phenix City the morning of Oct. 14, 2025, after four members of a family died in a house fire the previous night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. The cause of death is due to “possible smoke inhalation,” Sumbry said., and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
Law enforcement officers are at 915 Wehring Lane in Phenix City the morning of Oct. 14, 2025, after four members of a family died in a house fire the previous night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. The cause of death is due to “possible smoke inhalation,” Sumbry said., and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
Law enforcement officers are at 915 Wehring Lane in Phenix City the morning of Oct. 14, 2025, after four members of a family died in a house fire the previous night, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. The cause of death is due to “possible smoke inhalation,” Sumbry said., and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 10:37 AM.
Mark Rice is the Ledger-Enquirer’s editor. He has been covering Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley for more than 30 years. He welcomes your local news tips, feature story ideas, investigation suggestions and compelling questions.
