The Topeka Fire Department revealed late Wednesday afternoon that James Earl Hoddy, 54, was the man found dead early that morning in a burning house in southeast Topeka.

Two dogs were also found dead in that house at 2418 S.E. Wisconsin Ave., Topeka Fire Marshal Alan Stahl said in a news release.

Firefighters rescued a third dog, which was also found inside, the release said.

The fire department wasn't seeking any suspects in the case, it said.

That suggested investigators think whoever set the fire is deceased, as they have historically sought to question any living people suspected of starting fatal fires here.

When was the fire reported?

Topeka firefighters were called at 4:07 a.m. to the scene, where they arrived to find the house fully involved in flames, Stahl said.

Crews began an immediate attack on the fire and quickly brought it under control, he said.

Hoddy was the only person who lived in the house, Stahl said.

The total loss associated with the fire was $17,700, he said.

Topeka firefighters were assisted at the scene by the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office, Topeka Police Department, Evergy, Kansas Gas Service and American Medical Response ambulance company, Stahl said.

House was owned by Frog Holler LLC

The house at 1824 S.E. Wisconsin Ave. was built in 1940 and has been owned since 2020 by Topeka-based Frog Holler LLC, according to Shawnee County Appraiser's Office records.

The property had a 2025 appraisal value of $20,020, including $17,020 for the structure and $3,000 for the land, those records said.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.