Coroner IDs woman killed in East Cape Girardeau fire; fire marshal investigating

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill. (KFVS) - The state fire marshal is investigating a deadly house fire in East Cape Girardeau.

According to Alexander County Coroner Joseph Thurston, one person died in the fire.

He identified the woman as 66-year-old Katherine Kelley.

An autopsy will be conducted later in the week.

Illinois State Police and the Illinois State Fire Marshal were still on scene on Apache Circle as of 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.

Crews responded to the fire at a home on Apache Circle on Tuesday morning, March 28.

According to the McClure-East Cape Girardeau Fire Protection District, the state fire marshal was called to investigate.

It is not clear what caused the fire.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a deadly fire in East Cape Girardeau.

When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the back of the home.

A pillar of heavy smoke could also be seen across the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Smoke from a structure fire in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. could be seen across the Mississippi... — Smoke from a structure fire in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. could be seen across the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau, Mo.(Source: KFVS/Roger Seay)

McClure-East Fire crews said the one-story home is likely a total loss. The back of the home had the most damage.

Firefighters said they had no issues or problems extinguishing the flames.

Crews with the Horseshoe Lake and Cape Girardeau Fire Departments and Alexander County Ambulance also responded to the scene.

Crews responded to a house fire on Apache Circle in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. on Tuesday... — Crews responded to a house fire on Apache Circle in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. on Tuesday morning, March 28.(Source: KFVS/Noland Cook)

The investigation by Illinois State Police, the Illinois State Fire Marshal and Alexander County Coroner’s Office continues.

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