Updated: Police ID Victim In Pendleton Co. Fire

KNOXVILLE, Ky. -- A Pendleton County man died early Tuesday morning in a house fire.

Images: Pendleton County Fatal House Fire

The fire broke out just after 2:30 a.m. at a home on Moore Road, near Hogg Ridge Road, where firefighters from three departments were sent after 911 calls from neighbors.

Witnesses were unable to determine exactly where the fire was coming from in the remote area, and by the time firefighters arrived, the house had already burned to the ground.

“During the extinguishing of the flames, they located a body in the debris,” said Lt. Tom Lilley, of Kentucky State Police.

Authorities said Kenny Searp was unable to escape the fire and was killed.

“He just always, always wanted to have a farm,” said Tammy Searp Ingram, the victim’s sister. “I'm going to remember all the great times I had with my brother, going out to the farm and riding horses with him.”

She said her family had recently experienced another tragedy, when her 16-year-old nephew died after fumes from a camping stove filled his tent in March 2006.

Neighbors said Searp used a wood stove to heat his home, but investigators have not yet determined a cause.