NORTH VERNON — An autopsy confirms that a North Vernon woman killed during a late Friday night residential fire died of smoke inhalation.
Jennings County Coroner Alden Rudicel identified the victim as Laura Jean White, 48, of 528-B West Walnut St., North Vernon. White lived in the mobile home at that address, Rudicel said.
White’s residence was located off a private drive northeast of the Country Mark Corner Food Mart.
It appears the fire originated in the kitchen area, North Vernon Fire Chief Mike Cole said. No further details are being released while the blaze remains under investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office, according to the fire marshal’s office.
When first-responders arrived shortly before midnight on Friday, they found the mobile home engulfed in flames, with the main entrance blocked by fire and heavy smoke, North Vernon Police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Richmond said.
After two occupants escaped the blaze on their own, officers spotted White trying to exit in heavy smoke through a bedroom window, police said. While rescue attempts were made, Richmond said they were unable to bring White through the window to safety.
A short time later, officers lost sight of and contact with the victim, according to police.
