Man dies in fire

Dec. 12--A Lynch man was found deceased inside a residence which was heavily damaged by fire on Saturday.

Raymond Metcalfe, 61, was pronounced deceased by Harlan County Deputy Coroner Jim Rich.

According to a press release, Kentucky State Police Post 10 received a call of a structure fire located on 212 Church Street in Lynch at approximately 10:26 p.m. Troopers along with area fire departments were dispatched to the residence. Upon arrival, the dwelling was fully engulfed in flames. Lynch, Cumberland and Benham City Fire Departments responded to the scene. While fire crews were extinguishing the fire, a body was discovered in the home. Metcalfe was located inside the residence deceased. No foul play is suspected.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The incident is being investigated by KSP Det. Bryan Johnson.

KSP Trooper Jake Spurlock, Trooper Justin Barton, Detective Kevin Miller, KSP Arson Investigator Joshua Bunch, and Harlan County Deputy Coroner Jim Rich assisted at the scene.

In other police activity:

--Anthony North, 35, of Lynch, was arrested by Evarts City Police Officer Joseph Jones on Sunday. According to the warrant obtained by Lynch City Police Chief Hunter Luttrell, North broke a window and entered a home. He then broke furniture, cabinets, dishes, a TV and other electronics. Damages are estimated at over $1,000.

North was charged with second-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center;

--Tina Britt, 45, was arrested on Friday by Jones. She was charged with tampering with physical evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree disorderly conduct, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, operating on a suspended or revoked license, license to be in possession, failure to produce insurance card and public intoxication by controlled substance. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,000 full cash bond;

--Charles Lewis, 70, was arrested on an indictment warrant on Monday by Harlan County Sheriff's Deputy Philip Ely. Lewis was indicted for first-degree trafficking a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree persistent felony.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-909-4132 or on Twitter @joe_hde

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