An investigation is underway into what caused a fatal fire in Danville late Friday night. Fire Chief Aaron Marcott says firefighters were told a person was still inside the residence in the 1300 block of McKinley Avenue when they received the call shortly before midnight.
He says when they arrived on the scene, firefighters discovered heavy flames coming from the front and west sides of the one-and-a-half story home. A bystander told firefighters there was still someone inside the home.
Chief Marcott says the first fire unit on the scene immediately attacked the large volume of flames. Additional firefighters arrived and began a search for the victim. They found the person but the victim had already succumbed to their injuries.
The name of the victim is being withheld until it is released by the Vermilion County Coroner’s Office. There were no other injuries to civilians or firefighters.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting the Danville Fire Department with determining the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined. The American Red Cross was also notified to assist family members of the victim.
In addition to the person who died, five pets were also lost in the fire.
Agencies that assisted Danville Firefighters on the call included Danville Police, AMT Ambulance, American Red Cross, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the Vermilion County Coroner’s Office.
