A man, described as in his 60s, died in a house fire in the 2300 block of Starling Airport Road in Arnold yesterday (March 11), said Ron Harder, public information officer for the district.
Rock Community Fire Protection District received a call about the fire at 3:27 p.m., and when firefighters arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke and intense fire coming from the rear of the one-story frame home.
Those en route to the fire could see black smoke billowing from the residence as far away as I-55 and Richardson Road, Harder said.
“Firefighters arrived within minutes,” he said. “The residence is just down the street from the station. They made an aggressive attack and a quick advance into the back bedroom.
The resident was found sitting in a chair in the bedroom obviously deceased from smoke inhalation and the heat, Harder said
Materials made from polycarbons in mattresses, upholstery and plastic furniture cause an acrid smoke that can be deadly, he said.
The man was home alone, Harder said.
A dog found was found unresponsive inside the home and was taken outside and revived with the help of a canine oxygen mask, Harder said.
No one else was injured, he said.
The fire is believed to have started in the rear bedroom, but the cause is still under investigation, Harder said.
A large group of family members arrived on the scene and were distraught.
Several had to be treated by paramedics at the scene but none was transported to the hospital, Harder said.
Rock Community Chaplain Brian Menke was on the scene to assist the family, he said.
“Our chaplain program comes in handy in a situation like this,” Harder said. “It brings calm and comfort.”
Firefighters contained the fire to the house and kept it from spreading. The home, however, had extensive damage, Harder said.