Evansville, IN – A devastating house fire in Gibson County claimed the lives of two individuals early Tuesday morning, prompting an active investigation by local and state authorities. The fire was reported at approximately 6:24 a.m. in the 7000 block of State Road 64, located in the small community of Francisco.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers discovered one deceased victim at the scene. However, they were unable to enter the home further due to the thick smoke that had filled the interior. The situation was tense, but Sheriff Bruce Vanoven of Gibson County praised the law enforcement officers for their composure.
“They knew that the fire was not in that exact area where they were at. It was just amazing that they had the mental stability to say, ‘Let’s wait and let’s do this right,’” Vanoven said.
Firefighters with the Francisco Volunteer Fire Department were soon on the scene to assist in clearing the smoke and containing the fire. As they worked to secure the building, a second victim was discovered inside.
The Francisco Volunteer Fire Department was supported in their efforts by multiple other agencies, including the Oakland City Fire Territory, Bart Township Fire Department, and Patoka Township Fire Department.
In addition to the fire departments, law enforcement agencies including the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland City Police Department, and Indiana State Police were also on scene. Authorities have confirmed that the fire and deaths are under investigation, with a partnership between the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, Gibson County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Vanoven outlined the process that will follow as the investigation continues: “What we will do is collect evidence from the scene, which includes the bodies. The Coroner, at some point, will do an autopsy on the deceased victims to determine their cause of death,” he said. “He could give a preliminary cause of death within the next couple of days, or if he decides to wait on blood draws and other evidence from pathologists, it could be 6-8 weeks.”
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending the completion of an autopsy scheduled for Thursday, January 2. Coroner Barrett Doyle confirmed that the autopsy will help clarify the victims’ causes of death.
As of now, the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to determine its cause. The coordinated effort between local fire departments, law enforcement, and state agencies underscores the complexity of the case, and Sheriff Vanoven reiterated the importance of a thorough investigation.
“We are going to do the job right,” Vanoven said. “We are going to come down to a unified decision on this investigation.”
More details are expected to emerge following the autopsy results and ongoing investigation.
