Ky. House Fire Kills Bedridden Man, Hurts His Mother

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Dec. 20--CORBIN -- Two people escaped but another perished in a house fire on Sandy Flat Road in Williamsburg late Saturday.

Whitley-South Volunteer Fire Department was called to the home around 10:50 p.m. and Edward Brian Collins, 29, who was in a hospital bed, was still trapped in the burning house, according to Chief Wayne Honeycut.

"The victim's mother and a friend escaped but the mother was transported to Jellico Community Hospital for treatment for burns to her face and arm. The other who escaped was treated at the scene," Honeycut said.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley said it has not been determined as of Monday why Collins was bedridden. Croley said Collins' cause of death is still under investigation with toxicology and autopsy reports pending.

Collins' body was sent to the state medical examiner's office Monday for autopsy.

Croley said he did know that the victim did call 911 and reported the fire.

Honeycut said there were about 27 firefighters on the scene and they extinguished the fire in about 20 minutes. Collins was found within about 20 minutes, also.

Honeycut said his department remained on the scene until 4 a.m. to treat hotspots. Assisting were Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department, Emlyn Volunteer Fire Department and Williamsburg City Fire Department.

Honeycut said they had to run extra tanker trucks to Boston Elementary to obtain water from fire hydrants there.

Honeycut said they are waiting on Collins' mother to recover to continue their investigation and the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

The Kentucky Fire Marshal's office and Whitley County Sheriff's Department are also assisting in the investigation.