Early morning fire takes three lives

Three people are dead following an early morning house fire Sunday. 

Milam County Sheriff Chris White said deputies and fire departments from Thorndale and Rockdale responded about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, to a house fire in the 1800 block of FM 486 north. 

He said neighbors and nearby family alerted deputies that three people were possibly inside the burning home. 

Crews arrived to find that house fully engulfed. Rockdale and Thorndale battled the fire for over three hours. 

Once the fire was out, initial investigation confirmed that three people were killed. 

White said family members identified the trio as 50-year-old Marvin Cantwell, 82-year-old Myrtle Cantwell, and 59-year-old Bill Cantwell. 

The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate and assist in recovering the remains. 

At this time, investigators believe a space heater may be the cause of the fire.