Fatal fire claims lives of two in Estill County

UPDATE: Coroner Identifies the victims

IRVINE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A family and community in Irvine are mourning after an early-morning house fire on Cherry Street claimed the lives of two people.

The Irvine Fire Department said the fire broke out around 1:38 a.m. Thursday. When crews arrived minutes later, flames were engulfing the home. Tragically, the two individuals inside could not be rescued.

Family members identified the victims as Melissa Henry and her boyfriend, Christopher Popp.

“I just rushed down and came here. It still doesn’t feel real. It hasn’t looped in my mind that she’s actually gone and she’s not coming back,” said Katelyn Neal, Henry’s daughter. “She was really sweet, and a lot of people are going to miss her.”

Neighbors who called 911 say they attempted to help but were unable to reach the victims due to the intensity of the smoke and flames.

“My husband busted out a window with a brick and planned to go in, but the smoke had already engulfed everything. It was just too dangerous,” said Jennifer Richardson, a neighbor.

Fire crews entered the home while it was fully engulfed but were unable to save the victims.

“It’s hard on the family, and it’s hard on the first responders. In a small town, a lot of people know everybody,” said Irvine Fire Chief Justin Patrick. “It’s shocking, but you just learn to deal with it.”

The State Fire Marshal is now leading the investigation into the fire and the deaths. The victims’ bodies have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for further examination.

Neal says one interested in donating to funeral arrangements can do so through her Cash App $katelynneal2005.

UPDATE:

The daughter of one of the victims says it was her mother, Melissa Henry and the mother’s boyfriend, Christopher Popp, who died in the house fire.

Still no official indication on what caused the tragic fire.

ORIGINAL STORY:

IRVINE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A house fire early Thursday morning in Irvine claimed the lives of two individuals, according to officials.

The Irvine Fire Department received a call about the fire at approximately 1:38 a.m. Fire Chief Justin Patrick said flames were visible from the back corner of the single-story home on Cherry Street when crews arrived. Multiple units responded to the scene to battle the fire.

Two individuals were found deceased inside the home, according to officials. Their identities have not yet been confirmed, and the Estill County Coroner took their bodies to the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for further examination.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, with the state fire marshal leading the efforts.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.