One dead in Howard fire
By BOB CLARK THE HORNELL EVENING TRIBUNE

HOWARD - A mobile home fire claimed the life of a Howard man Wednesday evening.

Rodney L. Loucks was died after being trapped inside his home at 7474 County Route 27 in the Town of Howard. He was 44.

Howard firefighters responded to the residence at approximately 5:44 p.m., by which time the structure was fully engulfed in flames.

"When (Howard firefighters) arrived, within five minutes of the call, the trailer was fully engulfed," said Howard Fire Chief Rob Patrick. "The heat and flames made it impossible to enter."

"The fire was knocked down in, I'd say, 10 minutes," he added. "(Firefighters) did a great job getting it knocked down, but the building was too far gone in the area where the individual was."

Firefighters attempted to enter the building several times, but were unable to search for Loucks.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found Louck's body in his bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner to determine the exact cause of death.

Troopers said preliminary investigations led them to believe the fire began near a gas stove in the kitchen.

Two other people lived in the mobile home, according to Patrick, but Loucks was the only one home at the time of the fire.

Loucks had not been a resident of the area very long, according to Howard town Clerk Loreen Karr, saying he had moved to the town in the last few years.

Howard firefighters were assisted at the scene by Avoca and Fremont firefighters, Steuben County Sheriff 's deputies and state police. Kanona firefighters were on standby at the Howard station, and Wallace firefighters were on standby in Avoca. A tanker from Canisteo was en route to the fire, but the truck was recalled because it was not needed, according to Patrick.

"I just want to make sure those departments get recognized," he said, adding that all who responded did the best they could to help out.