Coroner identifies victim of house fire on Brooks Road

 Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley identified the man who died in a house fire on Brooks Road Wednesday night as Burnis Jessie Gerald.

Croley said an autopsy conducted Friday in Frankfort indicated Gerald, 52, died from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were called to the home in the Canadatown community about 10: p.m.

Despite the efforts of firefighters from Oak Grove and Woodbine Volunteer Fire Departments, the home was a total loss.

Whitley County Chief Deputy KY Fusion is investigating the cause of the fire and where in the home it began.

“At this point we are looking at everything,” said Sheriff Colan Harrell when asked if investigators had ruled out arson. “Whenever you have a death, you treat it as a homicide.”