Police identify victim of June 9 Francesvilld house fire

The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office, with the assistance of the Indiana State Police Forensic Lab, has identified the victim who died in a house fire on June 9, in Francesville, as R. Michael Lucas, 66, of Francesville.

The next of kin has been notified by the county coroner. 

At about 1:49 a.m., on June 9, Pulaski County Communications received a 911 call in reference to a residence on Yellow Street being on fire. The caller advised the residence was an occupied home, but the caller was unsure if the occupants were at home. 

Francesville Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene and found the residence fully engulfed in a working fire. 

Pulaski County deputies responded to the scene where a person was located who was able to escape the residence. Information was obtained in reference to a second person who was unable to escape the residence.

 

Once the fire had been extinguished, emergency personnel on scene located a victim inside of the residence. The victim's identity was not released until today (June 30), as the investigation continued.

The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office thanks the staff, as well as the Francesville Fire Department, Francesville Town Marshal, Francesville EMS, Medaryville Fire Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Dr. Thomas Sozio (pathologist) for their competency and professionalism during this difficult case.