Investigators now believe a 47-year-old woman’s death Monday night inside a burned Sixth Avenue apartment was accidental.
Officials originally thought Theresa Branham’s death might be suspicious. That changed as detectives looked into what happened.
Shortly after 8 p.m. Monday, Branham tried to light a cigarette using the stove inside her apartment in the 5900 block of Sixth Avenue. She was reportedly intoxicated, Tacoma police said.
Branham’s clothes and a blanket caught fire from the stove. Neighbors responded to the apartment because of the smoke and extinguished the flames, police reported.
Branham died in the apartment.
Tacoma fire investigators and police arson detectives responded, investigated and determined Branham’s death was accidental.
The fire caused $1,700 damage to the apartment and its contents. No other residents were affected.
“No other residents were impacted.”
I beg to differ. Among the people watching this tragedy unfold were many friends and neighbors of Theresa’s. We were all indeed impacted- deeply, as no doubt is the twenty-one year old son she left behind.
“… intoxicated…”
“… tried to light a cigarette using the stove inside her apartment…”
Perhaps those who feel so deeply impacted will see how this tragedy was completely avoidable.
The West End of Tacoma used to be a beautiful area.
Now the surrounding apartments, Mark Twain, Spanish Hills are filled with perverts and human excrement !
For the neighbor who says they were impacted– Thank you! I am Theresa’s sister who lives in Michigan. My niece and nephew’s lives will forever be “impacted” by this. For ImBack: Look in the mirror.
Also, this tragedy was preventable- but as one of those deeply impacted that does not mean a whole lot to us right now. It amazes me how judgemental and uncaring people in this world are of each other, and how quick we are to judge others we know nothing about.
EVERYONE has a family and people that love them, which means that no matter how “avoidable” a tragedy is, someone is impacted. I am Theresa’s niece. I can tell you first hand that her family is “deeply impacted” Watch your mouth and keep your judgements to yourself because karma is not nice to judgemental people. Maybe someday when something awful and “avoidable” happens to you or someone in your family, we can all get on here and comment on it!
Also, prayers are much needed for her two children and grand children.