Rockholds woman dies in early morning blaze

An early morning fire Tuesday claimed the life of a Rockholds woman.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced the victim dead at 7:03 a.m., but said authorities aren’t releasing her identity until a positive identification can be made through medical and scientific examination and the next of kin is identified.

Croley said victim has been tentatively identified as a woman who lived at the residence.

“Right now it appears to be a death as a result of a fire,” Kentucky State Police Detective Colan Harrell said about 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Investigators gather in the early morning fog to try to figure out what caused a fire on New Zion Road in Rockholds Tuesday morning that took the life of a local resident.

He said that a neighbor, who was on their way to work, reported the fire at 259 New Zion Road to 911 dispatchers at 6:07 a.m.

Rockholds Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Walker said that when firefighters arrived minutes later, they discovered the doublewide trailer already on the ground.

“Whoever called it in to 911 dispatch said that they anticipated somebody in there. Then they thought maybe they weren’t because the car was gone, but someone had taken the car earlier in the day,” Walker said.

A family member soon arrived, and informed firefighters that the victim was definitely home, Walker said.
Firefighters discovered the victim dead in the remains of a bathroom in the rear portion of the home.

“It’s sad,” Walker noted.

Croley said the body is being taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy and positive identification.

KSP Arson Investigator Josh Bunch, who is out of the Harlan Post, is helping investigate the blaze.
“The exact cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, but no foul play is suspected,” said KSP Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper.

Woodbine Fire Chief Rick Fore, Whitley County EMS, Whitley County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Foley and Trosper also responded to the scene.