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La Vergne Home Devastated by 2 a.m. Fire, Owner and Cat Lost

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  Published in House and Home on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 21:10 GMT by WSMV

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Home Destroyed by Fire in La Vergne; Cat Believed Dead

A 2 a.m. blaze on the morning of November 29 th gutted a 2‑story single‑family house in the La Vergne community of the Nashville‑Clarksville metropolitan area, leaving the owners and their beloved pet cat presumed dead. According to the latest report from WSMV News, the incident took place at 1235 S. Oak Ridge Drive, a quiet residential street in the northern part of the city. The fire, which was described by the Nashville‑Clarksville Fire Department (NCFD) as a “total loss,” reportedly began in the kitchen and quickly spread to the living room, then to the upper floor before the building was reduced to a smoking heap of concrete and drywall.

Immediate Response and Investigation

The NCFD’s 9‑1‑1 dispatch recorded the first call at 2:12 a.m. The incident was classified as a “house fire” and responded by the Oak Ridge Battalion (Battalion 3), which arrived on scene within 4 minutes. The team immediately conducted a multi‑unit rescue operation, attempting to extricate occupants who were found inside a sealed stairwell and a locked bedroom. The only confirmed occupant, 42‑year‑old homeowner Michael “Mike” Collins, was located in the basement by firefighters and was promptly transported to the Tri‑County Regional Hospital, where he was admitted for observation after sustaining minor smoke inhalation injuries.

Fire officials confirmed that the cat, a 7‑year‑old tabby named “Whiskers,” was also present in the house. Firefighters were unable to locate the cat before the building collapsed, and no evidence of the cat was recovered. The family confirmed that the animal was believed to have died in the fire. The WSMV article quoted the Collins family’s spokesperson, “We’re all devastated by the loss of our home and our precious pet. We’re grateful for the bravery of our firefighters.” (Source: WSMV, 12 p.m. update.)

In the days following the blaze, the NCFD’s investigation team focused on determining the cause of the fire. Preliminary findings indicated that the fire likely originated in an overloaded electrical outlet on the kitchen counter, which may have sparked due to faulty wiring. No arson was suspected, and the city’s fire marshal is currently reviewing the electrical compliance records for the property.

Damage Assessment and Insurance

An estimated $2.3 million in damages was reported by the city’s Building Inspection Division, which confirmed that the house had lost all structural integrity. “We are looking at a total loss, both for the building and for all contents,” said NCFD Chief of Fire Safety, Thomas “Tom” Henderson. “All structural wood was charred beyond repair.”

The Collins family has filed a claim with their homeowner’s insurer, Oak Ridge Mutual. An adjuster from the insurance company will visit the site next week to document the loss. “The policy covers both the structure and personal property, but it’s a long process to get all the paperwork in order,” the adjuster told WSMV on a recorded call.

The city is offering temporary assistance through its Disaster Relief Office, which provides emergency shelters for residents who lose their homes in disasters. The office has scheduled a meeting with the Collins family to discuss relocation options and temporary housing in the community center’s “Recovery Suite.”

Community Reaction

The incident has stirred concern among La Vergne residents, many of whom recall a similar fire that occurred on 5 May 2023, which left a 3‑story home partially destroyed but saved the occupants. Local officials have urged homeowners to review their electrical systems and to install smoke detectors if they are missing.

La Vergne Mayor, Emily Harper, released a statement on the city’s official Twitter feed: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of the Collins family home. My thoughts are with Mike, his family, and their beloved cat. The city will do everything possible to help them during this difficult time.” Mayor Harper also pledged to allocate additional funding for free electrical inspections for low‑income households in La Vergne.

The WSMV article linked to a city‑wide “Safety and Prevention” video produced by the Tennessee Fire Service, highlighting the importance of maintaining electrical circuits and ensuring that all electrical outlets are covered with proper plugs and devices. The video, which ran for 4 minutes, featured interviews with experts and footage of the Collins fire as an example of how quickly an ordinary kitchen can become a death trap when safety protocols are ignored.

What Happens Next?

According to the NCFD, the fire department will conduct a post‑incident review that will include a detailed fire‑scene analysis and a comparison of the electrical wiring against local building codes. They also plan to hold a community outreach session on Tuesday, 5 December, at the La Vergne Community Center, where the Collins family will share their experience and advocate for fire safety.

In addition, the city is working with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Environmental Protection to expand the “Free Electrical Inspection” program to more residents, and plans to hold free smoke‑detector installation workshops at the La Vergne Library next month.

Key Takeaways

• Fire Location & Timing: 1235 S. Oak Ridge Drive, La Vergne; 2 a.m. on Nov. 29 th.
• Cause: Overloaded electrical outlet in the kitchen; no evidence of arson.
• Outcome: Total loss of the house; occupant Mike Collins rescued; pet cat presumed dead.
• Damage Estimate: $2.3 million; insurance claim pending.
• Community Response: Temporary shelter, free electrical inspections, public safety outreach.

The fire at 1235 S. Oak Ridge Drive serves as a stark reminder that even the most seemingly safe homes can quickly become perilous if electrical safety standards are not upheld. As the Collins family begins the painful process of rebuilding, the community of La Vergne is rallying to provide support, promote preventive measures, and ensure that similar tragedies are averted in the future.