Callaway County woman dies when her home burns Saturday

This is the back of a Callaway County home destroyed by a fire Saturday afternoon. Ellen F. McCubbin's body was found in the debris.
This is the back of a Callaway County home destroyed by a fire Saturday afternoon. Ellen F. McCubbin's body was found in the debris.

Ellen F. McCubbin, 67, of 9324 Chippewa Trail in Callaway County died when her home was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon.

A mother and two children who lived with McCubbin were not at home at the time of the fire.

At 3:42 p.m. Saturday the North Callaway and South Callaway Fire Protection Districts were dispatched to the blaze.

Deputy Jackie Karhoff of the Callaway County Sheriff's Department said McCubbin's body was found among the debris of the home, which is located off County Road 132 south of Williamsburg, about one hour after firemen arrived.

Karhoff said the structure, a double-wide modular home, was a total loss.

Randy Cole, state fire marshal, is investigating the cause of the fire along with the Callaway County Sheriff's Department. The Boone-Callaway Medical Examiner's Office also responded to the blaze. The cause of death for McCubbin has not yet been determined and an autopsy has been scheduled.

There was a wooden handicap access ramp leading to the residence.

Karhoff said he contacted the Callaway County Red Cross, which is providing aid to family members of McCubbin.

Sue Craghead, disaster team leader for the Callaway County Red Cross, said Red Cross volunteers responded at the scene of the fire and provided food, clothing and assistance in acquiring medication to surviving family members.

Craghead said the fire victims are living temporarily with relatives.