. (WKYT) – A man was found dead after a house fire in southern Kentucky this morning.
The fire broke out on Kentucky 511 near the Rockholds community in Whitley County. Multiple departments were called to the scene.
The body of 70-year-old Eddie W. Lester was found inside.
Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Lester deceased at the scene. His body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Fire officials provided more details on what went on at the scene.
It was about 6:30 Tuesday morning when two men driving on Kentucky 511 noticed a house on fire, according to Laurel-Whitley Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains.
“Actually one of these gentlemen got his hand burned trying to get the door opened, but it seems the subject kind of had the doors barricaded,” Rains said.
They were able to call for help and five departments responded.
Firefighters said the home had heavy smoke and flames throughout when they arrived.
Lester was found in the living room area of the home.
A dog he had with him was able to get out but Lester was not.
“He had lived in the residence for about 7 years, so he had been in the community for awhile,” Rains said.
Lester had a presence inthe neighborhood.
“I did not know him personally but a lot of the people around here knew him because he would sit on his porch and he was driving his vehicles in the neighborhood,” Rains said.
Both state police and the state fire marshal will work to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
Officials do not believe the cause will be anything suspicious, but there is no timetable on when officials will be able to come up with a cause.
“There’s still a lot of heat in there. It will take awhile for them. They are going to take samples to state police for analysis,” Rains said.