Executive Summary
- Kentucky State Police responded to a fully engulfed structure fire on KY Highway 343 in McRoberts at 7:41 a.m. Saturday.
- Investigators located the remains of the homeowner, believed to be 70-year-old Robert Mullins, inside the residence.
- No foul play is suspected, and the State Fire Marshal is assisting Detective Scott Caudill with the ongoing investigation.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) launched an investigation into a fatal structure fire in the McRoberts community of Letcher County on Saturday morning, which resulted in the death of a 70-year-old homeowner. According to KSP Post 13 in Hazard, authorities were alerted to the emergency on KY Highway 343 at approximately 7:41 a.m.
Upon arriving at the scene, troopers and local first responders observed the residence fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire was successfully extinguished, emergency personnel conducted a search of the structure for the homeowner, identified as Robert Mullins, 70, of McRoberts. During the search, investigators located human remains inside the residence which are believed to be those of Mullins.
The Letcher County Coroner’s Office pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Officials have transported the remains to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy to positively identify the victim and determine the exact cause of death. The investigation is currently being led by Detective Scott Caudill.
Investigative Outlook
At this stage of the inquiry, law enforcement officials have stated that no foul play is suspected. However, the active involvement of the State Fire Marshal’s Office alongside Kentucky State Police highlights the procedural necessity of determining the precise origin and cause of the blaze. The pending autopsy results will be pivotal in formally closing the timeline of events and confirming that the incident was accidental in nature.
