Emberton, former Kentucky appeals court judge, dies in fire

Tom Emberton, once a Republican candidate for Kentucky governor and later chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, has died in a house fire.

Metcalfe County Coroner Larry Wilson said the fire was discovered around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. He said Emberton helped get his wife to safety but then went back inside the house and didn't make it out.

Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith said the fire was accidental.

Emberton ran for governor in 1971 and was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1987.

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Emberton was reelected twice and also served as chief judge of the appellate court until he retired in 2004.

(Photo courtesy of Western Kentucky University)