Death investigation launched in Columbus after body located during house fire

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An investigation is underway after authorities found a dead 85-year-old man while responding to a residential fire in Columbus early Sunday morning.

Firefighters with the Columbus Police Department were called around 6:14 a.m. to a home located in the 5200 block of Miami Drive. CFD said the caller noted that smoke was emanating from inside the building and indicated that they had successfully evacuated to safety.

The caller stated that he had not heard from his neighbor, who resides in the other half of the duplex. CFD said firefighters gained entry into the other apartment and located a man inside the home who was pronounced dead on the scene.

They then turned their attention to a smoldering fire that had expanded to the home’s attic. They extinguished the fire a short time later.

The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 85-year-old Don Horne of Columbus. As of this article’s publication, the circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain unclear.

The results of the autopsy are pending. CFD said there are no indications of foul play at this time. The deadly fire remains under active investigation.