Ex-Kentucky gubernatorial candidate, 90, dies in house fire after ‘heroically’ rescuing wife

A former Kentucky appeals judge has been killed in a horror house fire after rescuing his wife as he rushed back to the burning building.

Tom Emberton, 90, a one-time governor candidate, saw his home in Edmonton go up in flames at 3:30 a.m. last night.

He helped his wife Julia to safety before running back into the house to save his belongings and put out the fire, but died in the inferno.

The house was completely destroyed by fire and the exact circumstances surrounding it are unclear.

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

Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith, a close friend and fishing partner of Emberton, paid tribute to him today.

He told WBKO: ‘He heroically rescued his wife and brought her to safety.

The one-time governor candidate saw his home in Edmonton go up in flames at 3:30 a.m. last night.

The house was completely destroyed by fire and the exact circumstances surrounding it are unclear

“Then he went back inside to save his house and lost his life.

“Tom was simply the best man in the world to deal with. He was contagious to everyone. He had something very special.”

The judge was married for 65 years and is a devoted father of two children and a grandfather of five.

He was twice re-elected to the Court of Appeal and served as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal until his retirement in 2004.

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell worked with Emberton on his gubernatorial campaign.

He said in a touching message that he was “heartbroken” to hear of the loss.

The judge had been married for 65 years and was a devoted father of two and a grandfather of five

He helped his wife Julia to safety before running back into the house to save his belongings and died in the blaze

He was twice re-elected to the Court of Appeal and served as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal until his retirement in 2004.

The Republican said, “Tom gave me one of my earliest experiences in the harsh realities of political campaigning, hiring me to work on his 1971 governorate campaign.

“He taught me valuable lessons about public service and running a statewide Republican in Kentucky.

“Tom advocated conservative values ​​in our state and played a key role in organizing Kentucky Republicans at every level, paving the way for me and so many other conservatives to follow in his footsteps.

“Tom was a model gentleman, a devoted husband and a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather.

“Our prayers are with Julia Lee, their children Laura and Tom Jr., their five grandchildren and the entire Emberton family at this difficult time.”