TBI helping investigate fire that killed 2 children

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is helping investigate the Christmas morning fire that killed two Boones Creek Elementary students. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office identified Riley Blevins, 11, and Maggie Blevins, 9, as dying in the fire. "They have been our students for several years," Washington County Superintendent Jerry Boyd said of the sisters. He said they attended Fall Branch Elementary for a short time before coming to Boones Creek. Boyd said he has been in contact with family, including the girls' father, about the "terrible, terrible tragedy." Their mother, Nicole Blevins, is being treated in a North Carolina burn unit, according to a GoFundMe account set up by her sister. The mother and children lived in the Rock Springs community of Sullivan County, just outside the city limits. "TBI special agent fire investigators continue to assist the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office with the investigation into the cause of the fire," TBI spokeswoman Leslie Earhart said in an emailed statement to the Kingsport Times News and Six Rivers Media on Monday morning. Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus confirmed the TBI involvement in a separate email. "The SCSO is investigating the matter. The TBI is assisting in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing," Staubus wrote in a Monday afternoon email. According to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury's website, property assessment records on the house and the less than half-acre lot on which it sat indicated no natural gas service. Property records indicate the mother's full name is Ashley Nicole Blevins. "The investigation into the fire remains active," a Sunday news release from SCSO spokesman Capt. Andy Seabolt said. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with Riley and Maggie's father, their mother, who remains in critical condition, family members and friends who loved them." Six Rivers Media emailed Seabolt for any additional comment Monday and received this response: "There is no new information to share today regarding the fire investigation. It is active and ongoing. Yes, TBI's fire investigators are assisting with the investigation." According to Seabolt, the SCSO went to a call around 6:15 a.m. Thursday for a house fire in the 600 block of West Valley Drive. Two people were reported still inside the house at the time of the call. SCSO deputies and members of the Sullivan West, Warriors Path and Fall Branch fire departments responded, along with Sullivan County Emergency Medical Services. Nicole Blevins' sister, Lacie Hafley, set up a fundraiser — at gofundme.com/f/help-my-sister-rebuild-after-tragic-fire — to help cover medical costs and future living needs. As of Monday afternoon, the effort had generated more than 2,000 donations totaling over $175,000. "Hopefully, it will exceed that goal [of $250,000]," said Washington County Director of Schools Jerry Boyd, who confirmed in a Monday afternoon interview the sisters were Boones Creek students. "It's going to be a long and costly road." Boyd also said counseling would be available for students, staff and faculty at Boones Creek Elementary next week. "We'll have counselors available and mental health specialists . . . for adults and children," Boyd said. Teachers and other employees return Monday, Jan. 5, and students return Tuesday, Jan. 6. Sullivan County Director of Schools Chuck Carter said he also was saddened by the news. Six Rivers Media staff writer Sarah Monoson and Six Rivers Media Content Director Rob Walters contributed to this report.