On Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 5:37amCT, Adair County 911 received a call of a structure fire at 111 Sulpher Springs Road, 8 miles north of Columbia. The Columbia-Adair County Fire Department was notified and responded to the scene with 13 firefighters. 
 

Upon their arrival, the rear of the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters made entry into the home and stopped the fire from spreading throughout the structure, but continued to fight hot spots in the attic and in the walls for an extended period of time. It was confirmed on scene that 74-year-old Darlene Wick (the homeowner) was unaccounted for and believed to still be in the home.

At 6:03amCT Sheriff Josh Brockman and Adair County Coroner Roger Huckaby were notified to respond to the scene. At 7:05amCT, the body of Ms. Wicks was discovered by the fire department in the back bedroom where she slept.

The fire is believed to have started in the back bedroom and an investigation shows that 3 space heaters, one kerosene and the other two electric, were being used regularly.  

Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman and Coroner Roger Huckaby are continuing the investigation.

The Columbia-Adair County Fire Department was on scene for 4.5 hours along with responses from multiple agencies including the Breeding Fire Department, Adair County EMS, Adair County Emergency Management, Kentucky State Fire Marshall’s Office, Adair County Sheriffs Office and the Adair County Coroner’s Office.