Two airlifted after Harlan house fire
Published 2:53 pm Monday, April 22, 2019
On Monday at 11:18 a.m., Kentucky State Police Post 10 received a call of a house fire off of KY 522 in the Totz community of Harlan County. Trooper Joey Brigmon responded to the scene and advised Post 10 two individuals needed medical treatment.
KSP confirmed a male and female were flown to Holston Valley Medical Center in Tennessee for life-threatening injuries. These two individuals are husband and wife and also own the residence.
As of 4:30 p.m., KSP learned both adults were being flown to a hospital in Augusta, Georgia, for treatment due to the burns both suffered. Both are listed with life-threatening injuries.
KSP was notified that the male and female who suffered burns have twin 3-year-old children.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., KSP confirmed the twin 3-year old children have been located inside of the residence. The Harlan County coroner pronounced both deceased and will sending them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
On Tuesday at 10:06 a.m., KSP released the names of the couple involved in the fire. Dennis Chad Howard, 39, of Totz, and Allyson Howard, 42, of Totz, are the couple involved in the fire and are currently receiving treatment at a burn unit in Augusta, Georgia. KSP are waiting for an update from the hospital on their condition.
KSP will not be releasing the names of the 3-year-old twins.
On Wednesday at 2:23 p.m., KSP reported the mother, Allyson Howard, died while receiving treatment in Augusta, Georgia. Her husband, Dennis Chad Howard, remains in critical condition.
Several local fire departments were on the scene attempting to extinguish the fire. Assisting KSP are Sunshine Fire Department, Putney Fire Department, Cumberland Fire Department, Harlan County Emergency Management, Life Guard EMS, Air Evac, Cumberland Police Department and fire marshal.
The case is under investigation by Aaron Frederick.
The Enterprise will update this story as more information is released.