RUTHERFORD COUNTY - Authorities have identified the victims of the January 9th residential fire on Kari Drive as 63-year-old Christopher Lambert and 61-year-old Laura Lambert, both of Murfreesboro.

Emergency crews were dispatched to 6529 Kari Drive just before 3:00 a.m. following reports of a structure fire. Units from Rutherford County Fire Rescue (RCFR), Rutherford County Emergency Services, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, and Almaville Volunteer Fire Rescue responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, RCFR crews found the single-story home engulfed in heavy fire. Firefighters worked diligently to bring the blaze under control. However, during the preliminary investigation, it was determined that Christopher and Laura Lambert were unable to escape the fire and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office (RCFMO) conducted an investigation, ultimately ruling the fire accidental. The exact cause of the fire has not been disclosed.

Due to the icy conditions created by firefighting efforts, the Rutherford County Highway Department also responded to the scene to address water-related hazards on the roadway.

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PREVIOUSLY REPORTED

Rutherford County, TN — The Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office (RCFMO) is investigating a house fire that claimed the lives of two individuals early this morning.

On January 9, 2025, just before 3:00 a.m., crews from Rutherford County Fire Rescue (RCFR), Rutherford County Emergency Service, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, and Almaville Volunteer Fire Rescue were dispatched to 6529 Kari Dr. in Murfreesboro for a residential structure fire. Kari Drive is between S. Lowry Street and the Old Nashville Highway.

Units from RCFR arrived to find a single-story home engulfed in heavy fire. Firefighters immediately worked to bring the blaze under control, at which point the RCFMO was requested to respond to the scene. Additionally, the Rutherford County Highway Department responded due to water icing up on the roadway.

In the course of the preliminary investigation, it was determined that two individuals did not escape the fire and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office. Their identities are being withheld pending family notification. However, some relatives have already posted information about the couple on social media.

Property records show the home was purchased in 2005 by Chris and Laura Lambert, who lived in the house. Friends and extended family members commented on FaceBook that the husband and wife were the two who were killed in the blaze.

The incident remains under investigation by the RCFMO, with assistance from investigators from the Murfreesboro Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

RCFR reminds residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors in their homes. Those living in Rutherford County can have smoke detectors installed by local firefighters if needed. More information regarding smoke detector installation can be found at Rutherford County Smoke Detector Installation. Residents outside Rutherford County are encouraged to contact their local fire department for smoke detector installation services.