TWO TEENS DIE IN FIRE NEAR ADVANCE

BROWNWOOD -- Two teen-aged cousins died early Tuesday in a house fire in this small community near Advance.

Although authorities don't yet know the cause of the fire, they do not suspect foul play.

The bodies of Marty Robinson, 18, of Brownwood and his cousin Paul Shepard, 17, of rural Advance were discovered by firefighters after the blaze was extinguished.

Both were students at Advance High School, although neither was enrolled this term.

Principal Mike Redman said: "The students are remembering and reflecting on good times and bad. They are concerned."

The fire occurred at about 4:15 a.m. at the house on County Road 216, two miles south of Brownwood, where Robinson lived. Authorities did not say if anyone else was present at the residence at the time of the fire.

The Advance Fire Department responded first and was later assisted by the Puxico and Bollinger counties fire departments.

The state fire marshal's office and the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department were investigating the cause.

Shepard was the son of Gary and Beverly Shepard. Robinson was the son of Irma Robinson and the late Charles Robinson.