Cherokee County Schools Educator Dies in House Fire

Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire that killed an Upstate educator at a home on Brittany Road in Gaffney Monday night. Firefighters say they found 54-year-old Kathy Prevatte Kirby on the floor of a bedroom inside.

Kirby worked as an administrator at the Cherokee County School District. She helped evaluate pre-school aged children, particularly those with special needs. Dr. Linda Sellars, Assistant Superintendent for the district says, "Kathy was a person everyone loved being around, whether you were engaged with dealing with her in school or in a conversation in the break room. She was upbeat, fun to be around, but passionate about her work." According to Mike Melton, Director of Special Services Kirby was "just a champion and advocate for children. I would say that would be her legacy."
This is the third tragic loss for the Cherokee County School District in just over a week. Last Monday, assistant principal Tim Phillips died unexpectedly while riding in the car with his wife on the way home from Charleston. On Sunday, Brian Linder, an assistant principal in Spartanburg District 7 was killed in a car accident. Linder began his education career in Cherokee County as an elementary school teacher and coach at Gaffney High School.

Their deaths come on the heels of a summer in which five people were killed by a serial killer in Cherokee County, three of them connected to the school district. Dr. Bill James says starting the school year with three more unexpected deaths is “just tragic”. James says, “It impacted almost everyone here… These folks gave their entire working life for public education. Hundreds of kids. I think that's worthy of being remembered." He says it’s a community which will pull together and push forward.
Kathy Kirby is survived by her husband and his three children. She is the daughter of well known former high school football coach Bob Prevatte. Although the Gaffney’s fire chief has not yet released the cause of the fire, he tells News Channel 7 it is not considered suspicious.

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Authorities in Cherokee County are looking for the cause of a house fire where a Cherokee County Schools educator was found dead.

The Cherokee County Coroner says Kathy Prevatte Kirby, 54, was found dead in the home as it was burning at 225 Brittany Road in Gaffney.

The coroner says Prevatte died from smoke inhalation.

Fire crews said flames were coming from the back of the home when they arrived after getting the call at 10:00pm.

Firefighters had to go right into the burning house without battling the flames first. "Our actions were not to suppress the fire. Our actions were to rescue a victim. As neighbors told us when we arrived that there is probably someone at home during this time of the night," said Gaffney Fire Department Chief Nathan Ellis.

The Cherokee County Coroner's Office says the victim was found on the floor of a bedroom minutes after firefighters entered the home. Kirby was pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighters say her husband was at work at the time of the fire.

Kirby had been employed by the Cherokee County School District since August 1998 as a preschool evaluator and coordinator in the Office of Special Services. Kirby was also previously employed in Charleston County Schools as preschool itinerant.

Kirby was a 1973 graduate of Gaffney High School and attended the University of South Carolina where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1978. She also received a M.A.T. in early childhood education from the College of Charleston in December 1991.

William B. James, Ph. D., Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools, released a statement on the death of Kathy Prevatte Kirby:

"Mrs. Kirby was a very dedicated educator and highly motivated individual. She always went beyond the requirements of her duties and responsibilities as a teacher and advocate for children. She had an outgoing personality and was always positive and upbeat. She was loved and well respected by everyone who worked with her. She was a champion for children with disabilities and was committed to providing the resources available to ensure children received the tools and materials needed to learn so they could become productive citizens. Her impact will continue to affect children for years to come."

Gaffney Police and the State Law Enforcement Division are helping in the investigation. Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said this is the second fire-related death in the county this year.

Dr. James says Kirby is survived by her husband Phil, children Phillip, Adam, and Jennifer; and extended family. She was the daughter of Coach Bob and Marie Prevatte.

News Channel 7 will update this story

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