EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Firefighters were battling flames Friday morning at a deadly fire in East St. Louis.
Flames broke out at about 3:20 a.m. Friday at a vacant home in the 500 block of North 25th Street.
East St. Louis Fire Chief Derrick Burns said although the building was vacant at the time of the fire, it was known to be frequented by squatters. Crews were searching the burning home to determine whether anyone was inside.
At about 8 a.m., the St. Clair County coroner was at the scene.
Shortly after, East St. Louis police said at least one body was still inside the home, and a woman was able to escape.
Illinois State Police confirmed one person was killed in the fire, and an autopsy was pending.
St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified the victim Saturday as 19-year-old Isaiah Parker.
It's unclear if the fire caused the victim's death.
Jesse Davis lives across the street, told 5 On Your Side that he heard shots fired and a few minutes later he saw the flames from the fire. Then, the neighbor said that he heard a woman scream, "Get him out of there."
He's seen squatters at the home time and time again.
"This morning I heard two shots before I saw the fire. I got up out the door and walk towards my living room and I heard screaming so I walked towards my front door and lady was standing there in the driveway across the street who said somebody is up in the house," Davis said.
Davis said he's tried to keep people out of the home for their safety. He does his part as a chairman for the East St. Louis board of fire and police commissioners.
"They just go in and out so I took time to put a board across the front the door with a sign that says keep out," Davis said.
He said the squatters would always find another way into the home. He says he has seen at least a dozen people on the porch.
"The city does its part you know they police up here but then they come right back," Davis said.
ISP assumed the ongoing investigation.
Officials with the Illinois State Fire Marshal said the investigation might take a while to complete.
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