Firefighter killed in massive Pinckneyville blaze

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. — A massive fire in the southern Illinois community of Pinckneyville has claimed the life of a 22-year-old firefighter.

Corey Shaw is the son of Du Quoin Fire Chief Bob Shaw. He had started as a volunteer firefighter in Du Quoin last year.

Witnesses say Corey Shaw was near a wall when it collapsed. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he later died.

Du Quoin City Commissioner Rex Duncan says all public flags will be flown at half staff.

The fire Friday afternoon destroyed the Pinckneyville Antique Mall and the Kunz Opera House. The opera house had been in the community for at least a century.

The fire reportedly started in the antique store and quickly spread.

The city of about 5,500 residents is 65 miles southeast of St. Louis.