An investigation continues into what caused a fire west of Danville early today which has claimed a life. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden has confirmed that there was a fatality when fire struck a home at 23 Bates Drive. She says the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of relatives. The Coroner also says an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Assistant Kickapoo Fire Protection District Chief James Snyder told VermilionCountyFirst.com News that foul play is not suspected in the fire. But he adds the official cause remains under investigation. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading that investigation.
The alarm sounded shortly before 5:30 a.m., and Assistant Chief Snyder says flames were coming out of one side of the home when firefighters arrived. He says there was also heavy smoke. It took nearly 35 firefighters from more than a half-dozen rural departments about an hour to bring the fire under control, according to Snyder.
Units assisting at the scene included firefighters from Oakwood, Catlin, Bismarck, Westville, Georgetown, Tilton, Sidell and F-M-C (Fithian-Muncie-Collison). Two units from Carle Ambulance Service also helped at the scene.
Kickapoo Assistant Chief Snyder says neighbors attempted to alert the home’s occupant there was a fire….but they were unable to make entry. The structure that burned is a mobile home which had some additions built onto it.
