Electric Fireplace Ignites Millbrook Camper Blaze, Killing 64-Year-Old Man

An electric fireplace in one camper ignited a blaze that spread to a neighboring camper at the K and K Campground on the 1800 block of I-65 Service Road, killing 64-year-old Keith Alan Wilbanks. Millbrook firefighters found one camper about three-quarters involved when they arrived and the nearby unit was already burning because of windy conditions. Fire crews brought the fire under control in 11 minutes, but Wilbanks, who was inside the second camper, did not survive.

Capt. Doyle Campbell with the Millbrook Fire Department said the department responded to the scene at about 12:48 p.m. Tuesday. Fire investigators ruled the blaze accidental and traced the origin to an electric fireplace in the first camper. No additional injuries were reported and the fire was contained without spread to other structures at the campground.

The quick spread underscores how weather and the compact layout of camper lots can amplify a small ignition into a deadly incident. Wind-driven flames and embers can jump short distances between units, and recreational vehicles and campers often contain concentrated combustibles and electrical heating elements that pose risks if not maintained or used according to manufacturer guidelines.

For residents of Autauga County, the incident highlights practical safety issues. Many families and older adults use campers and RVs for seasonal stays, temporary housing, or off-grid living. Proper placement of portable heating devices, regular inspection of electrical cords and outlets, and functioning smoke alarms are critical in confined living spaces. Millbrook Fire Department response times and containment in 11 minutes likely limited broader damage, but a single fatality remains a sharp reminder of persistent vulnerabilities.

Public health and local policy officials may also take note. Fatal fires place strain on emergency medical services, first responders, and the bereaved family, and they prompt questions about outreach to vulnerable populations who rely on nontraditional housing. Fire prevention programs targeted to campers and mobile-home residents, subsidized smoke alarm distribution, and clearer guidance on safe heating practices could reduce risk in similar settings.

Millbrook neighbors and campground patrons are left to mourn and to reassess safety practices. Authorities have completed their investigation and labeled the cause accidental; any follow-up will focus on community education and preventing future tragedies. For now, residents should check smoke detectors, review electric heater instructions, and keep clearances around heating devices to help keep their families and neighbors safe.