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Wise County, Texas, located immediately northwest of Tarrant County, is home to about 69,000 residents.

Lake Bridgeport, a popular destination for boaters and anglers, is on the western end of Wise County.

Located on the east of the man-made reservoir is the city of Lake Bridgeport, a tight-knit community of around 350,

some retired and others still firmly rooted in the working world.

The small town has a city government, but no police force or other services those in bigger

cities are accustomed to. On Thursday, July 4, 2019, there was a block party on the 600 block of North Main Street in Lake Bridgeport

to celebrate the holiday. The small row of duplexes surrounded by large rural, densely wooded properties,

was home to a handful of folks, including 32-year-old Lauren Whitner. Her seven-year-old son and roommate were

both out for the night, so Lauren enjoyed time with her friends from an adjacent duplex, eating Chinese

food and day-drinking. She was close with these neighbors, often joining them for backyard cookouts, and their children played together, usually on the neighbor's trampoline.

When the sun went down, the usual peace and quiet took the back seat to the pops and bangs of fireworks.

After all, it wouldn't be Independence Day without them. At some point, things quieted

down enough for Jason and Helen Capehart, Lauren's immediate neighbors, to go to bed. In the middle

of the night at around 4.15 a.m., now July 5th, Helen and Jason awoke to the smell of smoke, the unmistakable smell of a house fire.

Chasen sprung from bed and raced to search the home but could find nothing. No fire.

He raced next door to Lauren Whitner's side of the duplex, and upon reaching the front porch,

heard the sound of a smoke detector.

In an attempt to get Lauren's attention, Chase and banged on the door, Lauren didn't come.

The door was hot to the touch, and he could see the smoke seeping from the unit. He quickly made

his way back to his unit and called 911.

Firefighters were on the scene within minutes and began battling the blaze. As they did, they made

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