A community is mourning the loss of a friend and family member who died in a house fire in the Polkville area.
Fire officials confirmed Thursday that Sharon Renee Branch, 36, died after the duplex she lived in caught fire about 8 p.m. Wednesday. The call went out at 8:05 p.m. and the blaze was contained by 8:18 p.m., officials said. The cause of the fire is still not known.
“At this time, it’s still under investigation,” said Perry Davis, Cleveland County’s deputy fire marshal. “But it appears to be accidental.”
Davis said the home, a duplex apartment on Oak Drive, was a total loss.
Branch was a member of Polkville Baptist Church and a graduate of Burns High School, according to her obituary submitted to The Star. She leaves behind a daughter and a son.
Polkville resident Sonya Davis Torres said the community was hit hard by Branch’s death. “She grew up here in Polkville, and we are a tight little town. I have seen tons of people sending up their prayers to her,” Torres said. “I knew her and she was a lively, fun person to be around.” By Thursday afternoon, friends and family on Facebook had posted photos, created collages and changed their cover photos in honor of Branch. “She was a sweet lady,” Torres said. “She will definitely be missed.”