Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse says he has been informed a second person has died as a result of a house fire Wednesday morning in rural Waltonville.
The names of the two have not been released pending completion of family notification.
Both had been pulled separately from inside the home during the initial firefighting efforts after fire fighters were notified by a relative they were inside. The male who was removed through the rear door died after being taken to a local hospital. The woman who was removed through the front door was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to a burn center where she later passed away.
Hayse says an autopsy will be conducted on the male Thursday afternoon to determine the cause of death.
The fire on Vermont Lane was first spotted as smoke coming out from under the eaves at 7:05 Wednesday morning. By the time Waltonville firemen arrived there was heavy smoke coming from the chimney and attic area of the home.
The fire departments hauled considerable water to the scene to supply both arrial and ground hoses.
The roof of the home burned off and only parts of the walls remain standing.
The State Fire Marshal’s office was called to investigate the cause of the fire.
A total of 20 fire departments were called to fight the fire and transport water. Waltonville called Jefferson Fire, Benton, Mt. Vernon City, Sesser, Woodlawn, Ashley, Christopher, Coello, Ewing Northern, Nashville, Valier, Kell, Centralia Fire District, Wayne City Fire, West City, Ziegler Fire, McLeansboro, and Webber Township Firemen for mutual aid. Salem Firemen covered the Jefferson Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The last firemen leaving the scene around one pm.
