Bodies identified in fatal house fire

On Feb. 12 at approximately 4:23 a.m., the Oneida County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call of a structure fire near the cemetery on Lakewood Road. The fire was located at 4623 Partridge Lane. The house was fully engulfed in flames when fire fighters arrived.

Kaye M. Juel, 53, who was the Oneida County Sheriff’s jail administrator, and her husband, Mark J. Juel, 55, died in the fire. Kaye Juel started her career in the sheriff’s office in 1983 and she was promoted to the position of jail administrator by Sheriff Charles Crofoot in 1994.

Sheriff Grady Hartman stated, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Kaye and her husband Mark. All of the employees in the sheriff’s office value and honor all of those who have served us in the public safety community, and our thoughts and prayers will remain with Kaye and Mark, and their families and many friends.”

The preliminary investigation has found no signs of criminal activity and foul play is not suspected at this time.

The fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal, Town of Cassian Fire Department, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Oneida County Medical Examiner’s Office.