JUDAH – Two people perished in an early morning blaze at 251 Briarwood Lane Tuesday morning. Autopsies will be performed Friday to determine their identities.
According to Sheriff Mike Branham, both bodies could not be immediately identified at the scene due to the extent of their injuries. Confirmation of identification will be determined by the Coroner’s Office during the autopsies scheduled for Friday.
Sheriff Branham says there was medical oxygen inside the residence and that appears to have played a role in the fire’s origin. No foul play is suspected. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters rushed to the scene after Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a report of a structure fire at 6:40 a.m. The caller who lives at an adjacent property reported he was warming up his car, he noticed flames coming from the residence.
Firefighters from Marshall Township, Monroe Fire Protection District, and Oolitic Volunteer Fire Department responded along with an IU Health Lifeline ambulance crew and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department detectives.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within an hour.
