A 14-year-old boy died in a camper fire in Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 1, officials said.
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A Tennessee high school is mourning the loss of a ninth-grader who officials say died in a fire.
Gracie McBryant, 14, died on Saturday, October 1, after a a camper at a home in Bristol caught fire shortly before 6 a.m., a spokesman for the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office told WJHL.
There is fire considered a coincidence, according to the Kingsport Times News , and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating. As of Sunday morning, Oct. 2, officials had not released additional information.
West Ridge High School, where Gracie attended and participated in the school band, said he was “heartbroken”.
“She was a beautiful soul with radiant energy,” the school wrote about Gracie on Facebook.
Gracie played the clarinet and was a “great member” of the band,” the West Ridge Band wrote on Facebook. She was “loved by her classmates, teachers, principal and the entire staff at West Ridge High School.”
The teenager was also known to wear blue eyeshadow and highlighter on his eyes, the school said.
“So for Gracie, our group members will be wearing blue highlighter/eyeshadow on our eyes for the next week,” the school said, adding that members will also be collecting donations for her family at the school.
The school said “mental health and pastoral care professionals” will be available to students and staff on Monday, October 3.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” the school wrote. “Gracie Alice McBryant. we love you Rest in Peace.”
Bristol is about 110 miles northeast of Knoxville.
