Home Albemarle County | Tragic fire in Keswick kills two adults, injures two children
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Albemarle County | Tragic fire in Keswick kills two adults, injures two children

Crystal Graham
keswick fire department helmet
© MargJohnsonVA

An Albemarle County couple is dead, and two children are injured after a fire Sunday morning on Starry Sky Lane in Keswick.

The two adults, Ashley Williams and Stephen Williams, both 37, were transported to UVA hospital where they were both pronounced deceased.

One minor was taken to VCU in critical condition, a second minor was transported to UVA Hospital. A dog was also found deceased in the home.

The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature.

The structure fire in the remote area was reported at approximately 7:09 a.m.

Career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue and the Albemarle County Police Department were dispatched, and officers arrived on scene approximately two minutes after the call.

When they arrived, they found a neighbor searching for residents in the two-story home with heavy smoke coming from the second floor.

The Albemarle County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief arrived 10 minutes later and joined the evacuation efforts.

The first fire suppression apparatus arrived 16 minutes after dispatch, and crews began searching for occupants, providing medical care and working to bring the fire under control.

A business, Williams Painting Inc., is registered to the home address.

The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office is working with the American Red Cross and Albemarle County Public Schools to ensure support services are provided to families and the school community.

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]