On Jan. 19, 2023 at 5:37 a.m., Adair County 911 received a call of a structural fire at 111 Sulpher Springs Road, eight miles north of Columbia.
Columbia/Adair County Fire Department was notified and responded to the scene with 13 firefighters. Upon their arrival, the rear of the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters made entry into the home and made a stop on the fire to keep it from spreading throughout the home but continued to fight hot spots in the attic and walls for an extended time. It was confirmed on scene that 74-year-old Darlene Wick, the homeowner, was unaccounted for and believed to still be in the home.
Sheriff Josh Brockman and Adair County Coroner Roger Huckaby were notified to respond to the scene at or around 6:03 a.m.
At 7:05 a.m., the body of Wick was discovered by the fire department in the back bedroom where she slept.
The fire is believed to have started in the back bedroom and investigation shows that three space heaters, one being kerosene and the other two electric, were being used regularly.
Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman and Coroner Roger Huckaby are continuing the investigation.
The Columbia/Adair County Fire Department was on scene for 4.5 hours along with responses from multiple agencies including Breeding Fire Department, Adair County EMS, Adair County Emergency Management, Kentucky State Fire Marshall’s Office, Adair County Sheriff’s Office and Adair County Coroner’s Office.
Submitted by Sheriff Josh Brockman
