Kenai

90-year-old man warned wife, then died in Soldotna fire

A 90-year-old man died Thursday morning after he woke up his wife to warn her that their Soldotna home had caught fire, said Alaska State Troopers.

Troopers identified the man as John Kelsch and his wife as 87-year-old Frances Kelsch. The fire likely started in a small heater inside their home, troopers said in an online dispatch.

Troopers said Frances Kelsch was able to escape the home and get to a neighbor's house to call for help.

"John Kelsch was not able to make it out and died in the residence," troopers aid.

A 911 caller reported the fire in the Mackey Lake Road area at about 7:15 a.m. Troopers and Central Emergency Services responded to the home, which troopers said was considered a total loss in the fire.

John Kelsch's body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's office for autopsy. The State Fire Marshal's office will conduct further investigation, troopers said.

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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