Fire caused Redkey woman's death

A Redkey woman’s death following a residential fire has been ruled accidental.

Karla Ruble, 69, died early Wednesday as the result of severe burns and airway damage sustained during a fire at her home.

Local officials conducted an autopsy Thursday morning. Dustine Hilfiker, deputy coroner for the Jay County Coroner’s Office, explained following the autopsy that Ruble sustained third-degree burns all over her body, as well as thermal injuries to the airway, such as damage sustained from smoke inhalation. (The cause of death had not yet been determined as of press time Thursday.)

There is ongoing state investigation to what caused the fire.

Ruble was found by her son, Cyler, about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. Emergency responders arrived at 328 E. Grandview Ave. to find Ruble deceased, her body lying in a hospital bed in the living room.

Redkey’s police and fire departments, Jay County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Coroner’s Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshal responded to the scene.

When emergency personnel arrived, Redkey Fire Department extinguished a small flame on the living room floor. Randy Young, chief of the fire department, estimated the fire started between midnight and 6 a.m.

There are a number of reasons it could have started, Young said Thursday, such as electrical issues or a misplaced cigarette. 

Investigation into the fire is ongoing by the Indiana State Fire Marshal.