Coroner's office identifies man killed in house fire

The Kosciusko County Coroner's Office has identified the man whose body was found in a house that caught fire early Saturday morning.

The victim was identified as 46-year-old John D. Etchison.

Firefighters were called to the home in the 8600 block of S. Valentine Road in Claypool - near Yellow Creek Lake, around 3 a.m.

The home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

After the fire was extinguished, a body was located inside the home.

Forensic Odontologist Dr. Craig Nelson at the Northeast Forensic Center in Fort Wayne identified Etchison through dental records.

An autopsy has been performed but the results will not be released until laboratory results are received.

Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello says the preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that the fire appears to have been accidental in nature.

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