Kentucky State Police are investigating a house fire on Kelly Street in Evarts that occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday.

Once troopers and detectives arrived on the scene, they located Ronnie King, 59, dead inside his house.

King is a former mayor and council member at Evarts.

KSP Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs said a preliminary investigation indicates that foul play is suspected.

KSP troopers and detectives and the State Fire Marshal are on the scene.

No arrest has been made.

Harlan County Coroner Phillip Bianchi will be sending the body for an autopsy.

King's brother, Jerome King, who lives across the street, said he went to the residence when smoke was seen coming out and found his brother dead.

"I prayed and prayed when I went in that he was OK," Jerome King said. "I started screaming out his name, but then I found him laying on the floor. He was dead. The smoke in the house was bad and I came back out. I told my sister that lives next door to Ronnie to call 911."

KSP and the Evarts Fire Department were called at that time.

Former KSP Det. Ken Crider said he came through the area at 8:45 a.m. and didn't see anything suspicious at King's house or any smoke coming from the residence.

KSP Det. Michael Cornett is investigating the incident.