Update: “The victim has been positively identified as Joshua Webb, 39 who resided at this address. No foul play is suspected; however, cause and manner of death are still pending autopsy results,” said Monroe County Coroner Joani Stalcup in an update on September 27, 2023.
Earlier report
Staff report
Bloomington, Indiana — September 21, 2023
The Monroe County Coroner’s office is currently conducting an investigation into a death after a fire that occurred in Western Monroe County. The fire began in the early hours of Tuesday.
Monroe County Coroner, Joani Stalcup, has confirmed that her office is actively engaged in the investigation. As of now, the identity of the deceased individual remains undisclosed, pending positive identification confirmation and notification of the family.
Stalcup issued a statement, saying, “At this time, identification of the deceased is not being released pending identity confirmation and family notification. An autopsy was completed this morning in Terre Haute, and the process to confirm identification has been initiated.”
The incident unfolded at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2023. Local firefighters responded to the scene. The MFPD released the following in a Facebook post:
“September 20th, 2023 – Firefighters responded to Stanford Rd around 4:30am this morning for a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a mobile home trailer fully engulfed in flames with the roof already collapsed, and the resident possibly still inside. Due to the large volume of fire and structural collapse from the roof and floor, firefighters could not make entry into the trailer and had to fight the fire in a defensive mode.
Once the main fire was extinguished firefighters spent an extended period of time cutting debris out of the way and searching through the rubble for the occupant. Unfortunately, firefighters did locate the body of the resident still inside the structure. Due to the fire being a fatality the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office and Monroe County Coroner were contacted to assist in the investigation. Fire investigators ruled the fire accidental.
The fire was called in by a neighbor who heard popping sounds and then saw the fire outside and called 911.
MFD Engines 39, 29, 23, 22, Ellettsville Fire Department Engine 81, and Battalion 22 responded to the fire. Additional assistance on scene provided by IU Lifeline Ambulance, REMC, Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office, Monroe County Coroner, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”
