Smoke Killed Webster Pair, Coroner Says
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by smoke inhalation was ruled the cause of death in Wednesday's fatal house fire.
County Coroner John Sadler released the cause of death this morning for Jack E. "Eddie" Robinette, 40, and his wife, Barbara, 45.
The couple died Wednesday when a fire swept through their home about 1:30 a.m. The home was located on Backwater Road, southeast of North Webster.
Fire Chief Harold Gunkel said investigators believe an electrical malfunction may have started the fire.
"It was too late when we pulled up on the scene," he said. "There was no way we could get to them."
Based on what firefighters found, Gunkel said it appeared the Robinettes had gotten out of bed, but were overcome before they could escape the fire. Their bodies were found in the bedroom.
Neighbor Tibie Packer alerted firefighters after spotting flames coming from a corner of the house.
"I was banging on the wall. I yelled at them several times, but I didn't get any response. The smoke got so heavy I had to get back," said Packer, who owns the house the Robinettes lived in. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by smoke inhalation was ruled the cause of death in Wednesday's fatal house fire.
County Coroner John Sadler released the cause of death this morning for Jack E. "Eddie" Robinette, 40, and his wife, Barbara, 45.
The couple died Wednesday when a fire swept through their home about 1:30 a.m. The home was located on Backwater Road, southeast of North Webster.
Fire Chief Harold Gunkel said investigators believe an electrical malfunction may have started the fire.
"It was too late when we pulled up on the scene," he said. "There was no way we could get to them."
Based on what firefighters found, Gunkel said it appeared the Robinettes had gotten out of bed, but were overcome before they could escape the fire. Their bodies were found in the bedroom.
Neighbor Tibie Packer alerted firefighters after spotting flames coming from a corner of the house.
"I was banging on the wall. I yelled at them several times, but I didn't get any response. The smoke got so heavy I had to get back," said Packer, who owns the house the Robinettes lived in. [[In-content Ad]]