ST. LOUIS — A man died in a fire that started in an apartment Saturday.
The St. Louis Fire Department responded to the fire shortly before 9 p.m. in a first-floor apartment of a building on the 1800 block of South 9th Street in Soulard.
St. Louis Fire Department spokesman Capt. Garon Mosby said that a man was found dead in the fire.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said in an incident report on Sunday officers were called to assist the St. Louis Fire Department at the scene of the fire.
Police said the fire department forced entry into the apartment, where firefighters found a man in his 60s who was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters put out the fire on the victim, but he had died from his injuries, and was pronounced dead by fire personnel.
Authorities have not released the victim's name, but The St. Louis Blues Society and friends and neighbors confirmed to 5 On Your Side Sunday that the victim is Tom Hall, a well-known musician in the area.
The St. Louis Blues Society released a statement on Facebook saying:
"The St. Louis Blues Society is deeply saddened to share the passing of one of St. Louis’ respected and revered Blues musicians, “THE” Tom Hall.
Tom has forever found himself as one of the best Acoustic Blues guitarists that St. Louis had to offer after been able to sharpen his craft with some of the greatest blues giants in St. Louis such as Henry Townsend, Tommy Bankhead, James Crutchfield, Leroy Pierson, and more.
From performing “Solo” to “Geyer Street Shieks” to “T&A” with Alice Spencer, Tom was one of the most revered musicians in this city and will greatly be missed.
We send much love and condolences to the family of Tom Hall.
Rest In “Blues” Heaven our dear friend."
Police said the medical examiner also responded to the fire.
No one else was injured in the fire, according to Mosby.
Mosby said Sunday the fire was contained to a bedroom in the apartment.
The building where the fire happened houses two apartments: one on the first floor, and one on the second floor.
Mosby and St. Louis police said the fire is being investigated by The St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit.
No additional information was released about the cause of the fire.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will updated information as it is confirmed.
Editor's Note: A fire department spokesperson initially told 5 On Your Side reported the fire started in and was contained to the kitchen of the first-floor apartment. It was later confirmed that the fire originated in and was contained to a bedroom of the apartment.
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