Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal mobile home fire in the Coates Bend community occurring Sunday.

Reportedly, 59 year old William “Bill” Simmons and a friend were inside the home when the fire broke out Sunday morning and although the friend managed to exit the home and run next door for help, the fire was already spreading rapidly.

Firefighters from Coates Bend and Tidmore Bend quickly arrived on the scene and were able to preserve the shell of the structure – which, according to Etowah County Chief Deputy Michael Barton, aided greatly in the investigation into what caused the blaze. The Etowah County Arson Task Force and State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to the scene and early indications are that the fire was the result of smoking.

(ABC33/40/www.abc3340.com)