Two children were killed when fire swept through a home in Cahokia Heights

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Chad Metcalf’s name.

Two children were killed in a house fire Friday afternoon in Cahokia Heights.

St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified one of the victims as Chad Metcalf, who was 4 years old. He was pronounced dead at the scene on St. Gregory Drive at 3:05 pm. He died of apparent smoke inhalation. An autopsy is pending.

The second child died at a St. Louis Hospital, and the child’s identity was not available.

Cahokia Heights Fire Department received a report that two children were trapped inside a burning house at St. Gregory Drive around 2:10 p.m., according to Fire Chief Steve Robbins.

When firefighters “ arrived at the house, we found out that two kids were trapped inside,” the chief said. “ There was heavy fire coming from the house. We made entry and pulled one kid out.”

One child died at the scene. A second child died at the hospital, the chief said.

The children were found inside a bedroom, the chief said.

The fire at the one-story, three-bedroom wood framed house was brought under control within 20 minutes, Robbins said. No firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire is not known. The state fire marshal was on the scene to investigate.

The local fire department was assisted by others in the area, including Prairie Du Pont, Dupo and Church Road.

This story was originally published February 23, 2024 at 2:53 PM.