Victims still being identified in Springfield deadly fire

SPRINGFIELD — UPDATE @ 9:13 a.m.:

A cause of a fire on Wiley Avenue may never be able to be determined due to the amount of damage from the flames, Springfield Fire Chief Brian Miller said.

The ages and identities of the victims have not been released.  The coroner’s office will likely use fingerprints, dental records or DNA analysis to identify the victims in the fire, Miller said.

Miller said it’s unclear how long the fire was burning before the first 911 call was received, however once the first call was received crews were on the scene in under seven minutes.

A wrecking company tore down the home and will remove its foundation and will with grass and seed to protect people in the neighborhood from any possible injury.

House fire reported in Springfield House fire reported in Springfield

INITIAL REPORT:

Fire officials are expected to provide an update Monday on a fire that killed two people early Sunday morning.

Firefighters responded to the fire shortly before 2 a.m. in the 800 block of Wiley Avenue.

When firefighters arrived on scene of the fire the house collapsed before crews could put water on it, said Springfield Rescue Division Fire Chief Brian Miller. There was a possible suspected delay in the detection of the fire, and crews were forced to fight the fire defensively.

Firefighters searched through the rubble for the two people. Crews located a man inside the home once they were able to move the collapsed walls, Springfield Rescue Division Fire Chief Brian Miller said. Investigators located the remains of a second person some time Sunday evening.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released.

A cause of the fire remains under investigation.