A 65-year-old rural Scheller man has died following a fire while visiting another home late Sunday afternoon.
Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse identified the victim as Thomas Restoff. His body was recovered after firemen from multiple departments were able to knock down the blaze and gain access to the home.
The fire was at the Charles Millowschewski home on North Lodge Lane in Scheller. It was gutted and a total loss.
Waltonville Fire Chief Larry Ellison said the Mt. Vernon fire chief was first on scene and broke out a window to access the home and get the trapped man out. However, the fire flashed with the new oxygen, making it impossible to gain access.
The fire is believed to have started on the porch from hot grease being used by the two men to cook chicken in a turkey fryer. The fire then burned into the kitchen where the fire victim was found. Although the home is still standing, Ellison says the fire gutted it.
The fire call first came in at 5:02 Sunday afternoon, with firemen on the scene until after nine pm. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.
The fire departments called for mutual aid included Jefferson Fire, Mt. Vernon City, Ashley, Sessor, Benton, and Valier. The tender task force to bring water to the scene included McLeansboro, Wayne City, Orchardville, Kell, and Centralia Fire Protection District. Coello and Ziegler covered the Waltonville station in the event of another fire.
Hayse says an autopsy will be held on Tuesday afternoon to determine the cause of death.
