FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Franklin County Coroner's Office has identified the two victims from the fatal apartment fire in Frankfort early Thursday morning.
21-year-old Zephany Rushin, of Frankfort, was pronounced dead on scene. 20-year-old Quiana Danyel Miller-Walker, of Frankfort, was transported to Frankfort hospital where she was later pronounced dead at 12:31 pm.
Preliminary post mortem examinations show that both victims died from injuries consistent with the incident. Autopsies are schedule for today and the final autopsy results are available in 12 to 14 weeks.
The cause of the fire and the final conclusion of cause and manner of death for both victims are still under investigation.
Coroner William C. Harrod says they have no further details at the moment.
Early yesterday morning, firefighters were called to the scene at Leawood Square Apartments. Frankfort Fire Chief Wayne Briscoe says someone noticed an alarm going off at the apartment complex at around 8:30 a.m. and called 911. Shortly after, more people from inside the building reported that it was on fire.
Briscoe says one additional occupant inside the building has been flown to the University of Louisville's Burn Center. Around three to five others have minor injuries.
Yolanda Parker, a neighbor said she heard a woman screaming from a third-floor window as heavy smoke billowed out the building.
"She was the smoke alarm that's the only alarm I heard was her," Parker said.
Parker says there were others doing the same below her. She ran over to try and catch her and then grabbed a neighbor realizing she wasn't strong enough to catch her.
"I ran back into my building and I got him and he did what he could do," Parker said.
She says the woman jumped at least 30 feet towards the good samaritan who broke her fall.
The apartment has 14 units but firefighters are unsure how many people are affected by the fire as some units are vacant.
Firefighters say they are still early in the investigation but are working to learn more about what started the fire. Multiple fire departments worked to put it out.
