Investigation: Deadly fire cause unknown

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November 26, 2008

Deputy fire marshal: It has not yet been determined if fire is of suspicious origin

Anonymous The Times-Tribune Wed Nov 26, 2008, 11:40 AM EST

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

More details will be forthcoming over the next few days in the weekend fire that claimed the life of a Laurel County woman and injured four others.

According to the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, deputy fire marshals have completed their investigation at the site of the residential fire, located on High Moore Road in London.

The fire started just after 4 a.m. Sunday, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department. Officials said the home was equipped with a gas furnace, but the gas supply was not activated at the time of the fire, and the home was being heated with an electric stove oven and supplemental heaters. A release from the Public Protection Cabinet stated officials believe the fire began in a bedroom.

Jeanette Smith, 35, died in the fire and four others — her boyfriend, two of his relatives and her 14-year-old son — were injured. The three adults were flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment and were listed in serious condition, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department. Smith’s son was treated and released from Saint Joseph London.

Although Deputy Fire Marshals Alan Walters and Doug Silvers have completed the on-site investigation, a cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Public Protection Cabinet Information Officer Jim Carroll said information obtained during the investigation should be available within the next few days.

“That’s under the assumption we find a cause,” he added.

“With a fire that causes extensive damage, there isn’t much physical evidence to determine an exact cause sometimes.”

Carroll also said investigators have not yet determined if the fire is of suspicious origin.

Brad Hicks can be reached at bhicks@thetimestribune.com

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