Madison County coroner releases name of man killed in house fire

A 71-year-old Alton man died in a house fire, the Madison County Coroner’s Office said.

James R. Tanner was pronounced deceased on the scene on Wednesday night, according to a news release from Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn.

Tanner’s body was discovered in the home after Alton firefighters arrived shortly after 9 p.m. at the home in the 2300 block of Sunset Avenue.

Results of an autopsy show the preliminary cause of death was from smoke inhalation, Nonn said.

The cause of the fire was not announced.

The case remains under investigation by the Alton Police Department, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Illinois State Police and the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

Tanner was formerly employed as a mechanic, according to his obituary posted by the Pitchford Funeral Home.

“He was a member of the Alton Moose Lodge #951, he enjoyed fishing and hanging out on his front porch,” the obituary states.