Published: Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT|Updated: 19 hours ago
JOHNSON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – A resident was killed by a deadly fire in Johnson County.
W.R. Castle Fire and Rescue responded to a call just at 7:54 a.m. today about a house fire. They arrived eight minutes later to find a mobile home on fire.
Crews were able to quickly enter and extinguish the fire. They searched the residence, finding that 77-year-old Clarence VanHoose had passed away during the fire.
The Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated and determined there was no evidence of foul play. They say the fire was most likely caused by the improper discarding of smoking materials. The home also had no smoke detectors, they say.
One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. W.R. Castle-Fire Rescue was aided by the fire marshal, Rockhouse Fire and Rescue, Oil Springs Fire and Rescue, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Offices, and Paintsville EMS.
