The Division of State Fire Marshal investigators are continuing their investigation of an overnight fatal fire in Jackson County.

“There is no sign of foul play,” Jackson County Sheriff John L. Shasteen said. “The Fire Marshal was on the scene, and the bodies were released to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office for autopsies. But there was no sign of foul play.”

Killed in the early-morning fire were Raymond Kimbleton, 70, and his wife, Phyllis Nichols Kimbleton, 69.

Shasteen said both were checked by medical personnel and declared dead at the scene.

Jackson County Coroner Dr. Gregory P. Hawker was at the scene and told authorities the two were patients of his.

Shasteen described for the Portsmouth Daily Times the events that led to the discovery of the fire.

“Around 5 a.m. this morning our officer was on routine patrol and he came across this house fire,” Shasteen said. “It was at 21 Broadway St. in Coalton. That’s Route 93.”

Shasteen said the deputy reported the entire house was billowing smoke and flames were showing from time to time.

“He called the dispatcher to alert the Coalton Fire Department, which showed up six minutes later,” Shasteen said. “By then flames were shooting out of the roof and the heat was starting to break out the windows.”

Shasteen said when the deputy arrived he had gone around the house banging on it with his flashlight to see if anyone was home. There was no response.

“He never heard anyone, and the smoke was so thick he couldn’t enter the house,” Shasteen said. “Once the firemen were able to put on their breathing gear and get in the house, they found the two victims lying inside close to the door. So they didn’t die in bed. They were evidently awakened and tried to get out.”

Shane Cartmill of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire appears to have originated in the living room of the home, and the exact cause is undetermined and under investigation by local fire department and law enforcement.

Cartmill said investigators did not find any smoke detectors during their on-scene examination.

There have been 105 fire fatalities in Ohio this year. There were 187 fire fatalities in Ohio in 2008. Less than 10 percent of residential fatal fires have had confirmed working smoke detectors.

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.