NEW MADISON – On Saturday at approximately 4:45 PM, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 142 Jefferson Street in the Village of New Madison.
New Madison Fire Department, Tri-Village Rescue and numerous fire and rescue agencies responded to the call. Fire personnel arrived on the scene to find the house fully involved. The neighbors reported that the resident was believed to be trapped inside. Firefighters were able to remove one adult male from the residence, identified as Rock A. Kiser (69), who lived at the house. Tri-Village EMTs attempted to treat Kiser, but he was declared deceased at the scene. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
Darke County Deputies, Darke County Coroner’s Investigator and the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. There were no other occupants in the house.
The victim was transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for a forensic exam and testing. The cause and manner of Kiser’s death are pending toxicology.
The preliminary investigation does not suggest criminal causes for this fire, but the case will remain under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office at this time.
