Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse has released the name of the woman killed in the Jefferson County Housing Authority apartment fire Tuesday night.
She is 64-year-old Risa Rodriguez of Short Street #12. Her husband, Craig, was critically injured. Both were initially taken to Mt. Vernon hospitals where Risa later died and Craig was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment. One other person very upset about the fire, but who did not have actual injuries, was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Hayse says Risa died from injuries from the fire, with an autopsy set for Thursday.
Mt. Vernon Fire Chief Chris Yannie says the first arriving apparatus reached the scene in less than three minutes and found a working fire in an apartment unit. The first officer on the scene ordered a search of the apartment ahead of a hose line, through a window. Members of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department located a victim immediately after entering through a window. Jefferson Fire Protection split their crew upon arrival to assist in victim removal. Members of the original entry crew and the split crew from Jefferson Fire located a second victim during the primary search. The victim was removed through the front door. The fire was extinguished with a pre- connected hand line.
The fire was confined to the one room of the apartment, but there was some smoke damage throughout the 20 unit one story apartment building. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire. Kell and Woodlawn Firemen provided station coverage in the event of another fire. The Mt. Vernon Fire Department is extending condolences to the family of the deceased and ongoing thoughts and prayers to the injured victim.