SUNSET — A house fire that claimed the lives of an elderly married couple on Friday was declared “not suspicious” by Pickens Rural and Shady Grove Fire Chief Billy Gibson.

Leon “RL” Talley, age 70 and Louise E. Talley, age 83, were pronounced dead at the scene at 9:25 p.m. Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley stated that the couple died from smoke inhalation.

According to Chief Gibson, an off duty volunteer firefighter lived in the area and made it to the scene within five minutes after the initial call came in. Fire personnel arrived shortly thereafter.

It has not yet been made clear who initially called 911, reporting the blaze.

The residence, a mobile home located at 616 Mt. Bethel Road in Sunset, was completely destroyed by the fire. The majority of the front facade is missing, revealing what’s left of a charred-out kitchen. What appears to be the melted remains of a wood-burner sits in the middle of the ruined structure.

“It takes its toll on our personnel anytime we have a single death — much less two at one time,” Gibson was quoted as saying. “We carry those burdens, much like family, when dealing with folks in the community.”

Chief Deputy Creed Hashe of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the fire is being investigated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with Pickens and Pickens Rural Fire Departments assisting.

Leon “RL” Talley, 70, and Louise E. Talley, 83, were pronounced dead at the scene at 9:25 p.m. Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley stated that the couple died from smoke inhalation.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_080.jpgLeon “RL” Talley, 70, and Louise E. Talley, 83, were pronounced dead at the scene at 9:25 p.m. Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley stated that the couple died from smoke inhalation. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

A house fire that claimed the lives of an elderly married couple on Friday was declared “not suspicious” by Pickens Rural and Shady Grove Fire Chief Billy Gibson.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_082.jpgA house fire that claimed the lives of an elderly married couple on Friday was declared “not suspicious” by Pickens Rural and Shady Grove Fire Chief Billy Gibson. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

The residence, a mobile home located at 616 Mt. Bethel Road in Sunset, was completely destroyed by the fire. The majority of the front facade is missing, revealing what’s left of a charred-out kitchen.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_083.jpgThe residence, a mobile home located at 616 Mt. Bethel Road in Sunset, was completely destroyed by the fire. The majority of the front facade is missing, revealing what’s left of a charred-out kitchen. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Chief Deputy Creed Hashe of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the fire is being investigated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with Pickens and Pickens Rural Fire Departments assisting.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_084.jpgChief Deputy Creed Hashe of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the fire is being investigated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with Pickens and Pickens Rural Fire Departments assisting. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.