Seneca Fire Claims Couple

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that claimed two lives in Seneca.  Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis says 73 year old Edgar Blake Smith and his wife, 73 year old Patsy Hughes Smith died in an early morning house fire.  The Coroner says a 911 call was received around 2:30 this morning reporting a house fire at 102 Sunnyview Drive which is just off Old Salem Road in Seneca.   According to the statement from the Coroner’s office, Mrs. Smith was discovered in the hallway just outside her bedroom.  Mr. Smith was discovered collapsed beside his bed in his bedroom.  Coroner Addis says both Mr & Mrs Smith died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation.  The manner of death is classified as accidental.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by SLED and Oconee County Fire Authorities.