ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — A man died early Wednesday in a fire at a home in unincorporated St. Charles County.
St. Charles County police identified him Wednesday afternoon as 49-year-old Steven Koelling.
According to Central County Fire and Rescue, crews were called at about 12:15 a.m. to a house on Arlington Drive in the Arlington Heights subdivision, near Caulks Hill Road. The department initially said there were two adults and two children at home at the time of the fire, but St. Charles County police later said there were just two adults and one child inside.
The fire began in the garage area of the home. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames at the home, significantly challenging rescue efforts, the department said.
Koelling died in the fire, but his wife and 12-year-old daughter were able to escape, according to police. The daughter had alerted her parents of crackling in the garage.
Neighbor Caitlynn Feeney said her mom called 911 and she was one of the first ones out in the street to help support the family.
"I just kind of stayed with her and I comforted her. I told her that she was safe, that her mom was safe. All she could do is stay safe," Feeney said.
She said some neighbors even pitched in to help.
"One of them was even in the backyard here trying to hose it down after it started," Feeney said.
A neighbor told 5 On Your Side the man had owned a mobile detailing business.
“Situations like these are an excellent reminder of the importance of having — and practicing — a fire escape plan," Central County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Jason Meinershagen said. "Ensuring everyone knows the home escape plan well ahead of the emergency can give you and your family the time you need to safely escape a house fire."
Two vehicles were removed from the family's garage and towed from the house, police said.
The Fire Marshal's Office, the Missouri State Fire Marshal and the St. Charles County Police Department were investigating the cause of the fire as of Wednesday morning. Fireworks are being considered.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family replace belongings they lost in the fire. As of Friday morning, it had raised over $22,500.