COLUMBUS, Ind. – Multiple local agencies are working together to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of a local man after first responders were called for a house fire on Sunday, August 17.
The Columbus Police Department (CPD), Columbus Fire Department (CFD), and Columbus Regional Health (CRH) Ambulance were dispatched to a duplex home in the 5200 block of Miami Drive. The caller, a resident in the duplex, noticed smoke inside the building and evacuated, but was not able to make contact with the neighbor on the other side. When emergency personnel arrived, they entered the other apartment and found a man deceased.
As CFD crews worked within the interior of the home, a smoldering fire that had extended to the home’s attic grew in size and was extinguished by firefighters.
CPD detectives, a CFD fire marshal, and the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office were called to the scene to investigate. The deceased man was identified as Don Horne, 85, of Columbus.
The results of the autopsy conducted on August 18 are pending. Investigators are continuing to work to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. They have not found any indications of foul play at this point.
