Authorities release name of Bottino Drive fire victim|[03/03/07]

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 3, 2007

A Vicksburg man found dead near the back of his burning home Friday has been identified as 42-year-old Robert Sutherland.

A 20-year employee of ParkView Regional Medical Center and River Region Medical Center, Sutherland died of smoke inhalation, authorities said, shortly after a fire started in a bedroom of his brick home at 112 Bottino Drive. The fire off Goodrum Road was reported at 7:30 a.m.

An autopsy was scheduled for Friday night at Mississippi Crime Lab in Jackson. Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City will have charge of arrangements.

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Sutherland was not married and had no children.

Sheriff Martin Pace said the fire appeared to have been an accident and that &#8220no signs of foul play” existed. The state fire marshal’s office is assisting in the investigation.

Sheriff’s investigator Mike Traxler said the fire started in a bedroom, but has not said whether the victim was in that room when the fire began.

Two miniature Dachshunds also died in the fire.

Firefighters from Fisher Ferry and LeTourneau volunteer fire departments responded and had to force their way into the house.

Records show the last fatal fire in Warren County was reported at a hunting camp in spring 2006.

Ellis Steed, 79, 310 Cypress St., Hollandale, was found in a mobile home at Buck Creek Hunting Camp off Youngton Road near the Yazoo County line in north Warren County. That fire was blamed on a candle.