Two Lives Lost: Newberry County Mourns Fire Victims

The Morning Inferno: A Community Wakes to Tragedy

The community of Silverstreet in Newberry County, South Carolina, is shrouded in sorrow after a devastating house fire claimed the lives of two residents, April Nicole Sutton Long (44) and Leroy Seegers (73). The tragedy unfolded early on Friday morning, November 14, 2025, when emergency operators received calls around 6:30 a.m. reporting a house engulfed in flames on Windsong Hill Drive. Firefighters fought bravely, but the sheer intensity of the blaze made rescue efforts impossible upon arrival. The discovery of the two victims—spanning different generations—has shattered the community, serving as a brutal reminder of the speed and catastrophic power of house fires.

A Double Loss: Lives Spanning Generations

The loss of both April Nicole Sutton Long and Leroy Seegers creates a profound wound in the heart of Silverstreet. Their lives, though spanning a generation, were intricately woven into the fabric of the community. April, at 44, had a future stolen, and her passing leaves behind immense grief for friends and loved ones. Leroy, at 73, was a senior member of the community whose life of experience and wisdom is now tragically silenced. The devastating reality is that two other residents of the home were spared only because they were not present at the time of the fire. The Newberry County Coroner’s office has scheduled autopsies to gain clarity, but no investigation can ease the sorrow of a family ripped apart by such sudden, uncontrollable destruction.

The Firefighters’ Grief: A Call for Prayer and Prevention

The shock of this fire has been deeply felt by the Silverstreet Fire Department and all responding crews. As Silverstreet Fire Chief Michael Parker stated, the situation is “heartbreaking,” and his team extended their “thoughts and deepest prayers” to all who are grieving this tragic loss. This tragedy serves as a critical, painful warning: the threat of fire is ever-present. The community must rally now to support the grieving families and the brave first responders. Furthermore, every resident must take action to ensure fire safety by checking smoke alarms, reviewing escape plans, and being vigilant about fire hazards. We honor the memory of April Nicole Sutton Long and Leroy Seegers by turning this tragedy into a shared commitment to protect every life in Newberry County.