Fire destroys family’s home in St. Clair County

A fire destroyed a rural Cahokia Heights home early Saturday morning, officials said.

The Cahokia Heights Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 96 82nd St. shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to Deputy Chief Jordin Simmons. When fire crews arrived, all occupants and their cat had already safely evacuated the home, Simmons said.

The fire started near the rear of the house and spread towards the front, according to Simmons. He said “severe hoarding conditions” made it challenging for firefighters to enter the structure.

The fire rendered the house uninhabitable.

Fire departments from Camp Jackson, Allerton, Midway Fire Protection District, Hollywood Heights, Villa Hills and Millstadt Union assisted at the scene. Crews cleared the scene by 11 a.m.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal responded to the scene, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Simmons said.

This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 12:15 PM.