A 65-year-old rural Scheller man died in a house fire Sunday afternoon in Jefferson County.
The Waltonville Fire Department was dispatched around 5:02 p.m. to a residence at 3606 North Lodge Lane, with reports that someone was trapped inside.
Thomas L. Restoff, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
A preliminary investigation indicates the homeowner and Restoff were cooking chicken in a turkey fryer on an attached porch when hot grease splashed from the fryer and ignited nearby materials. Firewood was reportedly stacked around the cooking area, and black smoke entered the home as the fire spread.
The homeowner, who is in his 80s, was able to escape and believed Restoff was following him outside. Firefighters later located Restoff after arriving at the scene.
Numerous departments responded or provided assistance, including Waltonville, Woodlawn, Jefferson Fire, Sesser, Mt. Vernon, Ashley, Webber, Centralia District, Sandoval, Valier, McLeansboro, Wayne City, Kell and Buckner. Jefferson County Emergency Management also assisted, while Coello provided station coverage.