Authorities have identified the man who died in a High Ridge house fire on Monday, Dec. 19.
Charles P. Willingham, 67, died in the mobile home where he lived in the 3100 block of Ruby Drive, according to a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office statement.
The home was destroyed in the fire, officials reported.
Willingham died from smoke inhalation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
High Ridge Fire Chief John Barton said the fire started in a bedroom, where the victim’s body was found in a bed.
Barton said the fire is not considered suspicious but the cause is undetermined.
It was the second fatal fire this year in the Country Squire Estates Mobile Home Park.
On Oct. 11, a 3-year-old boy, Kaiden Strubberg, died in a fire in the 3100 block of Diamond Drive.
Neither home had working smoke detectors, Barton said.
He said the district can provide and install free smoke detectors if residents call 636-677-3371.
Barton said a neighbor saw smoke coming from the home, called 911, kicked in the home’s door and tried calling out to see if anyone was inside.
He said crews were dispatched to the home at 3:05 a.m., arrived on the scene at 3:11 a.m. and got the fire under control at 3:50 a.m. Crews were on the scene until 9:23 a.m.
Barton said the Eureka, Saline Valley and Fenton fire protection districts helped with the call, and the North Jefferson County Ambulance District also responded to the scene.