Four die in house fire on West Parrish Avenue [Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.]

Aug. 27--Four members of an Owensboro family -- including two children -- were killed Friday morning when a fire gutted their West Parrish Avenue home.

Wendy Devine, 35, her two children, Ryan Devine, 2, and Jerry Devine, 3, and Wendy Devine's father, Jerry Marsh, 70, were killed when a fire broke out at their home 2204 West Parrish Ave. Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe said at least two members of the family died of smoke inhalation and said results were pending on the cause of death for the other two.

Firefighters were called to the home at 8:56 a.m., about an hour after Ryan Devine had left for work, Howe said. The house is between the Lic's restaurant and Lowe's Realty on West Parrish Avenue.

Wendy Devine is married to Ryan E. Devine. Two of Ryan Devine's brothers are members of the Owensboro Fire Department.

Greg Devine, who is also one of Ryan Devine's brothers, said he and his father were driving on Bosley Road, not far from the home, when they saw smoke.

"We started trying to kick in the doors and break the windows," Greg Devine said. "I called 911 as soon as possible.

"They were good," Greg Devine said of the family. "They kept to themselves. It's just an unfortunate thing that has happened. Words can't describe how we're all feeling. We're stunned."

Battalion Chief Steve Leonard of the fire department said the fire began in a living area in the back of the house.

"It appears from the initial investigation the fire had been burning for a period of time," Leonard said.

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