The State Fire Marshal has released the name of a man who died in a Dec. 26th fire in Pottawatomie County.
The State Fire Marshal Wednesday morning says 35-year-old Wade Parkhurst of Wamego was the fatality victim located within the residence after the blaze. This information is still pending official identification from the medical examiner’s office, according to the fire marshal’s news release.
The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Investigation Division joined the St. George Fire Department in the investigation of the fire.
The fire occurred in the early morning hours at 3769 Stewart Farm Road, Wamego. Five investigators from OSFM responded to assist with this investigation where one person was initially unaccounted for, after five people in the residence had been able to evacuate. The body of Parkhurst was located within the residence. The cause of death was listed as toxic gases due to the fire at the residence.
The origin of the fire was in the basement of the residence. The cause of the fire is still classified as undetermined, but more likely than not, is accidental associated with a failure or malfunction of several electric components within the area of origin. Foul play is not suspected. It was a total loss to the property at this residence. Investigators estimated over $350,000 in damages.
