Fatal Vernal house fire under investigation

VERNAL — State fire officials continue to investigate a house fire that claimed the life of a Uintah County man.

Firefighters were called to the home at 1500 W. 1763 North on Nov. 13 at 4:10 a.m., said Uintah County-Vernal City Fire Chief Sam Howard. Crews suspected someone was inside the home, but Howard said the home was engulfed in flames, and there was already heavy structural damage that made entry too hazardous.

"There was no way we could get inside," he said.

Firefighters were able to enter the home about 45 minutes after they arrived. They found Robert Knibbe, 57, of Vernal, dead in the basement. Howard said it's possible Knibbe was on the main floor of the home but ended up in the basement after the floor collapsed.

Deputy state fire marshal Michael Young said he is waiting on reports from the responding agencies before concluding his investigation. He declined to say whether the fire appeared to be suspicious.

— Geoff Liesik