A 57-year-old Birmingham resident, Kerry Orlando Colston

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A 57-year-old Birmingham resident, Kerry Orlando Colston, died on Thursday evening, September 24, 2026, following a severe residential structure fire in Jefferson County. Emergency first responders with the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched at approximately 8:45 p.m. to a single-family home located in the 3600 block of 37th Street North. Upon arrival, fire suppression crews encountered heavy smoke and active flames engulfing the structure. Firefighters initiated primary search and rescue operations after learning an occupant was trapped inside the residence; however, Colston succumbed to injuries sustained in the blaze at the scene.

Official Status and Investigation

The Birmingham Fire Department, alongside local law enforcement and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, has established jurisdiction over the incident site. Fire investigators and state arson experts maintain an active inquiry into the origin and cause of the fire, as well as the operational status of smoke detection equipment within the residence. Official post-mortem findings and toxicological assessments remain pending with the coroner's office in accordance with standard investigative protocol.

Community Impact and Tributes

News of Colston's tragic passing has prompted widespread expressions of grief, prayers, and condolences from neighbors, friends, and community members across Birmingham. Loved ones continue to gather to offer mutual support to his surviving family members during this period of bereavement. Official notices concerning formal visitation hours, public funeral services, or family-designated memorial arrangements will be released as plans are finalized.