Officials say no foul play likely in fire that killed Emlyn man

A structure fire early Monday evening claimed the life of a Williamsburg man.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced T.B. Gibson, 64, of 299 Cool Camp Road, dead about 6:45 p.m. Monday at his home.
The state medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy Tuesday. Croley said that he expects the cause of death will be smoke inhalation/carbon monoxide poisoning, which is common in most fires.
“No foul play is suspected at the present time,” Croley said.
Emlyn Volunteer Fire Department Chief Matt Witt said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but that it apparently started in the living room area of the four-room wood-frame house.
The fire was first reported about 6:20 p.m. to the Whitley County 911 Dispatch Center, and firefighters were on the scene 9 minutes after being notified.
Witt said the home was fully engulfed in flames when he arrived, and that 14 firefighters had the blaze under control about 12 minutes after arriving on the scene.
The home was a total loss. The roof collapsed due to the fire in the kitchen and living room areas.
The fire occurred nearly six miles south of Williamsburg.
Gibson lived at the home with his sister, but she had gone to visit other relatives when the fire started. Gibson was found close to the front door inside the residence.
Croley said the case is still under investigation by himself, Witt, Whitley County Sheriff’s Detective Chuck Davis, and the Kentucky Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Whitley County Major Crimes Task Force was not activated to investigate the incident.