Home destroyed by fire in South Laurel, arson investigator called in

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – A home in rural southern Laurel County was consumed by

Fire early Tuesday on Robert E. Cox Road/West Knox Fire Facebook

fire early Tuesday. And it was the second major house fire in a week for the West Knox Volunteer Fire Department in the North Corbin area.

The latest fire was just before 3 a.m. Tuesday on Robert E. Cox Road. When firefighters arrived, the wood frame structure was fully involved and they feared someone was still inside.

West Knox Fire Chief Daryl Baker told the News Journal newspaper the owner of the home had died last week. Firefighters spent more than two hours battling the blames.

Firefighters have asked for a Kentucky State Police arson investigator because a shed on the property had been broken into and fire crews wondered if the fire may have been started to cover up a burglary of the home, Baker told the newspaper.

No injuries were reported.

West Knox firefighters battled another house fire shortly after 1 a.m. on Johnson Hollow

Fire last week on Johnson Hollow Road/West Knox Fire Facebook

Road. That house also was destroyed. No injuries were reported.