Johnny Payne Obituary, Death – Authorities in Montgomery have confirmed that a man has died several days after an apartment fire that also took the life of a young child and left another child critically injured. The deadly incident has deeply affected the local community as investigators continue working to determine what caused the blaze.
Fire and rescue officials said the incident occurred early Sunday morning when emergency crews were called to an apartment complex in the Montgomery area following reports of a possible building fire. Multiple fire and medical units were dispatched shortly after 8 a.m. after callers reported heavy smoke and flames coming from a residential structure.
When first responders arrived, they found a two-story apartment building actively burning. Crews immediately began firefighting operations while also searching the building for anyone who might still be inside. Due to the intensity of the fire, the response required coordination among several units to bring the situation under control and assist victims as quickly as possible.
During their search of the building, responders located three individuals inside the apartment: an adult man and two children. All three were removed from the building and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Officials said the victims had suffered serious injuries related to the fire and smoke exposure.
Tragically, authorities later confirmed that an 8-year-old boy died as a result of his injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital. Fire and rescue officials expressed their condolences to the child’s family, describing the loss as heartbreaking and devastating.
In the days following the fire, officials provided an update on the condition of the other victims. On Wednesday, authorities identified the adult man as 64-year-old Johnny Payne. They confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, several days after the fire occurred. His death marked the second fatality connected to the incident.
At the time of the most recent update, the third victim—a 9-year-old girl—remained hospitalized in critical condition. Officials have not released further details about her injuries but noted that medical teams continue to provide intensive care. The community has expressed concern and hope for her recovery as she continues to fight for her life.
Fire officials have not released information about whether other residents were displaced or injured as a result of the fire. It is also unclear how much damage the building sustained or how many units were affected. Crews worked for several hours to fully extinguish the flames and ensure there were no remaining hot spots that could cause the fire to reignite.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigators are continuing to examine the scene and review all available evidence to establish how the blaze started. Fire investigations often take time, as officials must rule out a variety of possible causes, including accidental, electrical, or other factors. Authorities have not indicated whether the fire is considered suspicious.
Officials emphasized that determining the origin of the fire is a priority, both to provide answers to the victims’ families and to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Investigators may also review witness statements and building safety information as part of the process.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by residential fires, particularly when they occur during early morning hours when occupants may be asleep. Fire and rescue officials continue to stress the importance of working smoke alarms, fire safety planning, and quick emergency response.
As the investigation continues, authorities say additional information will be released when it becomes available. In the meantime, the Montgomery community mourns the lives lost and remains hopeful for the recovery of the injured child.
