House Fire Kills Unicoi County Man

A Unicoi County man is dead after he is trapped in his house as it burned to the ground.  The Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department says 61-year-old Walter Scott Brank was already dead when firefighters arrived on the scene. 

The flames began around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on Bumpus Cove Road in Unicoi County.  The house is located in the Cherokee National Forest, not a place with a lot of foot traffic during the day. 

Firefighters from the nearby Embreville Volunteer Fire Department noticed smoke in the trees and went to investigate.  By the time they arrived, the house was completely engulfed in flames. 

Neighbors say they will miss the eccentric Vietnam Veteran who loved to tell stories. 

Investigators don’t know what caused the fire yet.  They continue to investigate.  For a full video report, click play above.