Teen and grandmother die in Salisbury house fire

SALISBURY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people, a 17-year-old boy and his grandmother, died in a house fire in Salisbury early Sunday morning.

The Salisbury Fire Department responded to a house fire at 207 West Third Street at 1:33 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release. Firefighters found 17-year-old Maxwell Springer already dead when they arrived. His grandmother, 75-year-old Cheryl Springer, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and later died. Those on scene said Cheryl died from smoke inhalation.

Residents of Salisbury told ABC 17 that Cheryl worked at the Salisbury library and took care of her grandson. A close friend added that she was "a wonderful woman."

Salisbury Fire requested that the Missouri Division of Fire Safety investigate the cause of the fire. State investigators determined the fire started in the living room and do not believe it is suspicious. The fire is still under investigation.

The Salisbury Police Chief and Fire Chief declined to comment Sunday afternoon.