Alaska State Troopers say a 90-year-old man died in a morning house fire after waking his wife, giving her time to escape the flames.
KTVA-TV reports that troopers say John Kelsch died Thanksgiving morning when he was unable to escape the flames in his Soldotna home.
Troopers say Kelsch did manage to wake his wife, 87-year-old Frances Kelsch, and warn her about the fire. She made it out of the house and troopers say she called for help from a nearby home.
According to the troopers’ report, a small heater probably started the fire. The home was destroyed.
Red Cross of Alaska spokeswoman Beth Bennett says a chaplain was requested to comfort Frances Kelsch.
The State Fire Marshal is still investigating the fire.
