UPDATED: North Corbin man committed suicide after starting duplex fire

Authorities say the man found dead following a house fire on Ky. 1223 in North Corbin Thursday took his own life.

According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root, an autopsy conducted on the body of 29-year-old Neil Spitzer, indicated that the cause of death was a single gunshot wound.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, added that based on the investigation at the scene and evidence recovered, Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective Charlie Loomis and Kentucky State Police Arson Investigation Brian Lewis have determined that Spitzer set fire to the home at 1454 North Ky. 1223 and then set fire to the vehicle parked on the carport before shooting himself.
“We don’t know what he used to set the fire or the exact point of ignition because there is too much damage, but we do know it started in the front of the duplex,” Acciardo said, adding there was too much damage to the car to determine where or how Spitzer started that fire.

Acciardo declined to release details as to what part of the body Spitzer shot himself or possible reasons for the suicide out of concern for the family.

“A self-inflicted death is a terrible thing for a family to live with,” Acciardo said.

As to the explosion neighbors reported hearing, Acciardo said investigators found evidence to suggest it was actually a fire backdraft.

“There was nothing found to indicate an explosion of any kind,” Acciardo said. “When a backdraft occurs in a fire, it can sound like an explosion and will blow out the windows.”

A 911 call came into Laurel County Dispatch about 11:15 a.m. Thursday when a Kentucky Utilities meter reader, who was several houses over, heard the noise from the backdraft.

West Knox, Lily and Laurel County firefighters responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the blaze.