Two University of Alabama students killed in Conecuh County structure fire
EVERGREEN, Ala (WAKA Action 8 News) – The Conecuh County coroner has confirmed that two young men have died in a structure fire Wednesday morning.
The coroner says the fire happened around 1:30 A.M. on Wednesday at a home off Stowers Timberland Road in Evergreen. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old James “Walter” Hensley II and 21-year-old Mark “McNeil” Mostellar. Both are from Mobile.
LinkedIn profiles confirm the two were students at the University of Alabama.
According to AL.com, Hensley was a graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Mostellar was a graduate UMS-Wright Preparatory School.
St. Paul’s held a memorial service for Hensley. In a statement on Facebook, the school wrote: “In the wake of great loss, we are reminded just how fragile life truly is. When words fall short, we gather. Anyone in our greater community who is seeking a place for prayer, reflection, comfort, or simply the presence of others please join us this evening at 6:00 PM in the St. Paul’s Student Commons. All are welcome. May we carry one another with grace, hope, and love.”
The coroner says four people were inside at the time of the incident. Two people were able to escape and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation by the Conecuh County Coroner’s Office, the Evergreen Police Department, and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available and as the investigation allows.
