TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. (October 22, 2024) –The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 in Columbia received a call from the Monroe County 911 Center on October 21, 2024 at 1:07 P.M CST requesting investigative assistance at the scene of a residential fire in the limits of Tompkinsville in Monroe County.
Troopers responded to the residence located on West 6th Street in Tompkinsville. Tompkinsville Fire Department firefighters also responded to the residence to battle the blaze. The preliminary investigation revealed that 25-year-old Ashton Wright was asleep and woke up to her house full of smoke. Ms. Wright’s two juvenile children were also inside the residence. Ms. Wright, with the assistance of a neighbor, was able to get one of her children out of the residence however; they were unable to reach her other child.
Firefighters made entry into the residence and located an 8-month-old juvenile deceased inside. A 2-year-old juvenile was transported to the hospital for treatment of severe burns. The cause of the fire is believed to have originated from an electric space heater inside the residence however, the incident remains under investigation.
The investigation is being led by Trooper Bobby Maxwell. Trooper Maxwell was assisted at the scene by other Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Tompkinsville Police Department, Tompkinsville Fire Department, Monroe County EMS, and the Monroe County Coroner.
(Trooper Jonathan Houk – Kentucky State Police Post 15)