ZEIGLER, IL — One adult and two children died in a house fire just after noon Monday at 611 Vaux Street in Zeigler.

According to the Zeigler Fire Department, when firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed with people still trapped inside and at least one person was outside of the home in need of medical attention.
Several area fire departments were called in for mutual aid. Police officers from Zeigler and Christopher and firefighters all attempted to enter the home to rescue any victims but were unable to do so. A defensive fire attack was required to bring the fire under control.

One woman was located outside of the home and was treated by Abbott EMS paramedics until she was airlifted from the scene to a burn center.

The names of the three people who died in the fire are being withheld until identification can be confirmed and autopsies are pending.

One firefighter was injured at the scene and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The firefighter has been treated and released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the City of Zeigler Police & Fire Departments, Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators.
At this time, no further information will be released due to the ongoing investigation.