Man found dead in burned home; investigation continues
Published 12:09 pm Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Reporter staff
Authorities discovered the body of a man in a burned, two-story home in Lakeland Hills on Tuesday afternoon.
Auburn Police said they believe the body is that of the homeowner, 59-year-old Kevin L. Holle, who reportedly was missing at the time of the house fire early Monday morning in the 5600 block of Hazel Loop Southeast.
Auburn detectives and firefighters with the Valley Regional Fire Authority were able finally to get safely into the burned home, which had suffered heavy structural damage, and search, said Auburn Police Cmdr. Steve Stocker.
Inside the garage was a Ford Explorer with one end of a hose sticking out of the gas tank, the other end in a gas can, the VRFA reported.
“It is with sadness that we report that a deceased body was recovered from inside the home,” Stocker said. “Auburn detectives along with fire investigators continue to investigate the cause of the fire. A medical examiner is en route to take custody of the body. At this time, we do not know the cause of death and do not have any further information to release. It is believed that the body is that of Mr. Holle, but that has not been confirmed.”
According to a police report, neighbors last heard from Holle during the morning hours of Sunday.
VRFA firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 2:57 a.m. Monday. In route, responding units noted a large column of smoke from a few miles away. On arrival, firefighters found the two-story home engulfed in flames.
Firefighters and neighbors evacuated the adjoining exposure structures. Firefighters used a defensive strategy to extinguish the fire.
South King Fire & Rescue provided mutual aid assistance.
The fire remains under investigation.
