Jeremy Gaston/Herald-Chronicle

OSAGE CITY—An Osage City man died early June 11 in a house fire that police say he set intentionally. John Couch, 39, was found dead in the home at 275 Main Street, Osage City, shortly after firefighters arrived and began battling the blaze.

Osage City Police Chief Fred Nech said a neighbor first saw the house on fire and reported it at 2:46 a.m.

Osage County Fire District No. 2 Chief Dan Romine said the first crews on the scene began fighting the fire, but when additional personnel arrived, a search was conducted. Couch was found in an area of the home that fire had not reached, the fire chief said. Couch’s cause of death was ruled as smoke inhalation.

Nech said investigation by his department, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office and Topeka Fire Department revealed the fire had been intentionally set.

“An accelerant was dispensed in various places in house,” Nech said.
Neighbors said Couch lived at the home with his wife, Kyle, and five children, but police said no other occupants were in the home at the time of the fire.

According to Romine, when the fire department arrived, flames were shooting 20 to 30 feet out of the roof of the home.

“In 10 to 15 minutes we had the main part of fire under control,” Romine said.

Romine said firefighters were initially told that no one was inside, but during a search of the home firefighters found Couch.

“We always try to search a structure no matter what,” Romine said. “We try to do that as soon as possible.”

Romine said the fire damage was contained in the south part of the home, but he believed the house was a total loss.

In addition to two of Osage City’s fire engines, firefighters from Burlingame and Lyndon assisted with one engine from each town.

An assistance fund has been established for the family at Landmark National Bank. Donations should be designated to the Kyle Couch Assistance Fund and mailed to Landmark National Bank, P.O. Box 244, Osage City, KS 66523. Donations can also be dropped off at the bank or the Osage County Treasurer’s office at the Osage County Courthouse, in Lyndon.