Officials believe fire victim is Collinwood teen

WAYNE COUNTY, Tenn. - Wayne County authorities said they have not positively identified the victim of a Saturday fire but believe she is a Collinwood teenager.

Investigator Tim Beckham, with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, said the fire happened at a manufactured home at 305 Wall Street, which is in the Woodland community just east of Collinwood around 3 a.m. Saturday.

Beckham said two people were in the structure when the fire started; and one was able to get out.

Beckham said that because of the condition of the body, authorities were not able to make a positive identification Saturday. He said the body has been sent to the Tennessee Department of Forensic Sciences in Nashville for identification.

"It appears they will have to use dental records to make a positive identification," Beckham said.

Investigators said the victim is believed to be 18-year-old Jessica Guajardo, of

Collinwood.

Authorities said she was staying with her boyfriend, 19-year-old Christopher Pitts, who lived at the residence.

Beckham said it appears the two were the only ones inside the trailer when the fire began.

"At this point, we have no cause of the fire, but there is no reason to believe it is anything but an accident," Wayne County Sheriff Ric Wilson said.

As a matter of protocol, Beckham said agents with the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office were called to help with the investigation.

Investigators said the two teens were asleep in a bedroom when the fire started.

Beckham said Pitts was slightly injured from smoke inhalation and received medical treatment.

"This is a tragic accident, which resulted in a loss of a young life. It's a very said weekend," Wilson said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.