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| Local man killed in suspected oxygen tank fire |
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2/23/2018
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
A Jeffersonville man was killed Feb. 14 in a fire that appeared to occur from smoking around his oxygen tubes.
Kenneth “Papaw Runt” Martin, 75, was pronounced dead at the scene, which was 395 Martin Cemetery Road. Coroner Jimmy Adams pronounced him at 10:09 a.m.
Adams said Martin had nose, mouth and throat injuries.
From evidence at the scene, investigators suspect that Martin was smoking on a couch with his oxygen tubes inserted about 9:30 a.m. when an explosion of fire overcame him, Montgomery County Sheriff Fred Shortidge said.
There was a small amount of fire damage to the couch, Shortridge said. The Montgomery County Fire Dept. responded and kept the fire from spreading.
Shane Barnes, a fire investigator with the Kentucky State Police, has been asked to look into the incident, the sheriff said.
There were no signs of foul play, however, Shortridge said.
An autopsy will not be performed, but the state medical examiner may do an external review to confirm the cause of death, Adams said.
Shortridge said these types of incidents are not uncommon. He cited an incident on Camargo-Levee Road a few years ago in which a man and a woman were killed. Their home was completely destroyed.
He encouraged the public to think twice before smoking around an oxygen source.
“It’s dangerous,” Shortridge said. “It’s not a good practice to be smoking when you have oxygen on. It’s a bad choice.”
Martin was reportedly in ill health and had COPD and heart issues, Adams said.
Martin is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Martin of Jeffersonville; a daughter, Janet Martin; four sons, Kenneth Earl (Shirley) Martin, Elmer Gene (Linda) Martin, David Arthur (Sheila) Martin and Kenneth Lee (Megan) Martin; 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and six sisters and a brother.
His funeral and burial at Martin Cemetery were held Saturday.
For complete obituary information, see page A9.
There were several condolences offered on the funeral home’s website for Martin.
Theresa Kaye Shields wrote: “So sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers ... love you all.”
Shelia Martin said, “He was the best father-in-law a person could ask for. Kenny was a great man. You may be gone, but never forgotten. RIP.”
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