Peoria woman, 69, found dead after house fire
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - Fire officials say a 69-year-old Peoria woman has been found dead inside a home that was destroyed by fire.
The (Peoria) Journal Star reports that (http://bit.ly/1OAZIui ) Sharon E. Williams was pronounced dead shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday.
Limestone Fire Department Chief Larry Gilmore says neighbors reported the fire around 3:30 p.m. He says flames were seen coming from the back of the house by the first firefighter, but the home was engulfed by the time an engine arrived.
He says firefighters who entered the home to search for Williams were called out because of the extent of the fire and because of explosions possibly caused by oxygen tanks in the home.
An autopsy is planned to determine if Williams was alive when the fire began.
Five departments fought the fire.