Home erupts into flames in Millstadt early Tuesday morning, fire marshal investigating
Several people escaped a home explosion in Millstadt early this morning as fires engulfed a two-story structure.
According to St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, the fire broke out early this morning at around 6:45 a.m. Multiple first responders arrived at the home located at 8900 block of Highway 163.
Millstadt Fire Chief Kurt Pellman said the fire may have started near or under a truck parked near the building. The Illinois State Fire Marshall has been asked to investigate based on the “suspicious nature” of the fire.
“It was fully involved when we got here,” he said. “It looks like it started up front around the pick up truck. We actually think it might have it started on the outside of the house with a suspicious nature. That’s why I called the fire marshal in.”
There were 13 people in the home at the time of the fire, including three children, but all escaped without injury, according to a release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. KMOV Channel 4 reported a neighbor heard two explosions before people inside the home ran out.
Two of the people living in the home were treated for smoke inhalation on the scene and refused transport to a hospital. Pellman said four pets died in the fire.
“They’ve got the close on their back and some of them have burned, bare feet,” said Pellman. “They did what they could to get out.”
The Millstadt, Columbia, Camp Jackson, Prairie duPont and Villa Hills fire departments responded to the scene.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 9:45 AM.