Couple lost in house fire
Former fire chief and his wife
Examiner photo by Ana Cosino: A former Navasota Fire Chief, Ronald Busse, and his wife Donna lost their lives in a house fire early Friday morning, Jan. 21.
Two bodies, presumed to be those of Ronald Busse, age 63, and Donna Busse, 57, were found in their home on the 9900 block of South Business 6 in Navasota that burned early Friday morning, Jan. 21.
Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell stated at approximately 3:47 a.m. a call was received in reference to a structure fire. Sheriff Deputies arrived on scene at 3:51 a.m. to find the home completely ingulfed. Navasota Fire Department arrived at 3:53 a.m. and began extinguishing the flames.
Navasota Fire Department received additional tanker support from College Station Fire Department, White Hall Volunteer Fire Department and Anderson Volunteer Fire Department. St. Joseph EMS was also on standby. The home was extinguished at approximately 7 a.m.
Sowell said investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and requested the assistance of the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office since the occupants of the residence were unaccounted for.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, but Sowell said there is no indication of foul play.
Ronald Busse served Navasota Fire Department for over two decades (22 years) beginning Jan. 7,1982 and served as Navasota Fire Chief for 11 years (Aug. 3, 1992 - Dec. 31, 2003).
“Ronald was a long serving dedicated member of the Navasota Fire Department and served the citizens of this community with great pride,” said current NFD Chief Jason Katkoski. “I am saddened by the tragic event and my thoughts and prayers are with their family.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated, but Sowell said there is no indication of foul play. Both bodies were taken to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Officer for autopsy and Sowell said an additional press release will be distributed once those results are received.