Columbus man dies in house fire; cause under investigation

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) – Authorities in Columbus are investigating a Saturday morning house fire where a man died. 

Someone called to report a fire in the 700 block of Della Road in Jewell Village around 3:17 a.m. Saturday. When rural firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. 

Once the fire was out, firefighters found the remains of a man later identified as 65-year-old Ronald Rhoades in the home, according to the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office. 

Rhoades was the owner and sole resident of the house that burned, the coroner’s office said. The cause and manner of death remained under investigation on Saturday, but foul play was not suspected, the release said.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the fire.