Man killed in Cahokia Heights fire. What we know

A man was killed Sunday night in a fire at his home in Cahokia Heights.

Gary J. Limestall, 69, of the 100 block of St. Leo Drive, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Cahokia Heights Assistant Fire Chief Steven Robbins said firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 8:58 p.m. He said firefighters found heavy fire coming from the rear of the home.

Limestall was found in the rear of the house, Robbins said.

No other information was available Monday morning.

This is the third house fire death in Cahokia Heights in less than a week.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, two people died after a fire at a home in the 200 block of North 44th Street, about a half mile west of Interstate-255 off New Missouri Avenue.

Bob Tierce, 78, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 10 a.m., according to Dye. A second victim, Larry Wetzel, 82, later died at Touchette Regional Hospital, Dye said.

Firefighters rescued two people from the burning structure and took them immediately to EMS workers. ““Those are life-threatening injuries,” said Sharon Davis, assistant chief of the Camp Jackson Fire Department. “They were at the rear of the house, perhaps trying to self-extricate themselves. The back of the house was not on fire.”

Three firefighters also were injured, but were treated at the scene. A neighbor trying to assist suffered burns to their hands, but refused medical treatment. Multiple fire departments were at the scene. The Illinois State Fire Marshal is on the scene assisting in the investigation.

This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 11:47 AM.