Madison County coroner confirms identity of 81-year-old woman killed in house fire
The Madison County Coroner has released the name of the woman found dead after her Wood River home caught fire early Wednesday morning.
Donna W. Nance, 81, was positively identified by the presence of a surgically implanted medical device, according a release from Coroner Steve Nonn’s office.
The release said, according to preliminary findings of an autopsy performed Thursday morning, that Nance likely died from smoke inhalation coupled with “significant heart and lung disease.”
“A final cause of death will be issued upon completion of routine toxicology testing along with carbon monoxide testing.,” the coroner’s release stated.
The Wood River Fire Department responded to the call in the 800 block of State Street at 5:14 a.m. Wednesday. First responders arrived within three minutes, Chief Wade Stallhutt said, but were met with heavy smoke and fire at the front of the house.
“We attempted to enter through the front door but we encountered heavy fire and smoke,” Stallhutt said. “There also were some structural integrity issues, so we entered through the back. Once we knocked the fire down, we confirmed, unfortunately, that a single occupant was inside.”
Nance was the only person inside the home at the time of the blaze, Stallhutt said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Wood River Police Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal Office, Madison County Coroner’s Office, and the Wood River Fire Department.
East Alton and Roxana fire departments also responded to the scene. Rosewood Heights, Godfrey and Edwardsville fire departments assisted in various capacities. Stallhutt said Wood River volunteers had already worked an overnight blaze and needed the backup.
“We’re kind of a small, community department. ... I just wanted to make sure we could rotate personnel in and out to ensure the safety of our guys,” Stallhutt said.
Funeral arrangements for Nance are pending with Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey.
“The Office of Coroner would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all involved in this tragic incident,” Nonn’s release stated.
