Crime & Safety
One Dead Following Explosion, House Fire In Cottondale
Few details have been released after a house went up in flames in Cottondale around 11 a.m. Monday morning.

COTTONDALE, AL — Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue is currently on the scene of a fatal house fire first reported as an explosion on Monday in the 1600 block of 60th Avenue East in Cottondale.
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The house appeared to be a total loss in a photo provided by Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue spokeswoman Holly Whigham. What's more, it has now been confirmed that one person is dead as a result.
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Whigham informed local media that two other people were able to escape the blaze.
She then said TFR initially responded to the call of an explosion just after 11 a.m., going on to say that crews are still on scene.
Find out what's happening in Tuscaloosafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Deputies with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office are also on scene. Once the scene is processed and the fire is completely extinguished, the case will likely be handed over to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which investigates all unnatural deaths in the metropolitan area.
This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more as it comes available.
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