AUSTIN, Ind. — UPDATE: The victim in the fatal structure fire has been identified as 61-year-old Robert David Bowling Jr. of Austin, Indiana. This case is still under investigation; however, no foul play is suspected. The State Fire Marshall Office is also assisting as investigators attempt to verify the exact cause of the fire.
Original Press Release:
Detectives with the Indiana State Police (ISP) Sellersburg Post are investigating after responding to a fatal structure fire Wednesday evening.
The Austin Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call concerning a structure fire on West Harrod Road just northeast of Austin, at around 8:30 p.m. While extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered a deceased male inside the building and contacted the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff’s department then requested the assistance of ISP detectives and crime scene investigators, who were on the scene for about five hours. Their initial determination was that foul play was not involved and the case would be handled as a death investigation.
Authorities made notification to the deceased’s family and an autopsy was ordered. The victim in the fatal fire has been identified as 61-year-old Robert David Bowling Jr., of Austin.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting as investigators attempt to verify the cause.
