safety
Former ‘All My Children’ star Paul Avery and wife die in New Jersey house fire
By Debra Worley at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
(Gray News) – Actor Paul Avery and his wife, Sheila Avery, were killed in a house fire in New Jersey earlier this week, New Jersey police told several media outlets. Avery is known for his role in the soap opera “All My Children” and the 1978 version of “Superman.”Police responded to the couple’s...
Key takeaway Avery is known for his role in the soap opera “All My Children” and the 1978 version of “Superman.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The tragic house fire that claimed the lives of Paul Avery and his wife Sheila in New Jersey serves as a stark reminder to Nashville residents of the importance of fire safety. As a city surrounded by a larger metropolitan area and prone to similar risks such as flooding, Nashville's homeowners must remain vigilant about potential hazards in their own homes. The Metro Nashville Public Schools district, which serves the smaller city of Nashville, may consider incorporating fire safety education into their curriculum to raise awareness among residents of all ages. Furthermore, the city's own police department and emergency responders may review their protocols for responding to fires and entrapments, taking note of the heroic efforts of the New Jersey firefighters who attempted to save the Averys. By learning from this devastating incident, Nashville can take proactive steps to prevent similar tragedies from occurring within its own community.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) – Actor Paul Avery and his wife, Sheila Avery, were killed in a house fire in New Jersey earlier this week, New Jersey police told several media outlets. Avery is known for his role in the soap opera “All My Children” and the 1978 version of “Superman.”Police responded to the couple’s...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Debra Worley at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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