Identity of woman who died after Highland apartment fire is released, autopsy completed

The Madison County Coroner’s office late Tuesday released the identity of the person killed after a weekend apartment fire in Highland.

Virginia G. Barth, 68, died in the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland Saturday, according to a release from Coroner Stephen Nonn.

The Highland Fire Department was called to a single-story, six-unit apartment complex at 2942 Herzog Lane shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday. Highland firefighters arrived to find a woman trapped inside Unit D, entered the apartment and rescued the woman, according to Highland Fire Chief Chris Straub.

Barth was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries, according to a release from the Highland Fire Department. An autopsy showed Barth suffered from severe heart and lung disease, but a final cause of death won’t be issued until routine toxicology and carbon monoxide testing can be completed, Nonn stated in the release.

The apartment complex had a residential sprinkler system that was functioning properly, according to the fire department. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

The fire did not extend into the adjoining units, according to a Facebook post from the Highland Fire Department.

Highland was assisted by Highland-Pierron and St. Jacob fire departments, as well as paramedics from Highland EMS.

This story was originally published December 27, 2023 at 8:51 AM.