Death investigation under way after Dallas City man found dead after Saturday residential fire

DALLAS CITY, Ill. — A death investigation is under way after a Dallas City man was found dead after a residential fire on Saturday. 

The victim was identified as Lonnie E. Lewis, 74.

The Dallas City Rural Fire Protection District was paged to a structure fire at 180 W. Second in Dallas City at approximately 10:47 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Firemen from Dallas City, Colusa and Lomax all responded to the scene. When firemen arrived, the structure was heavily involved. Crews battled the fire and found a person inside the structure who already was dead.

When deputies from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department arrived, they met with fire department officials and learned they had responded to the structure fire and made entry into the residence, where they discovered the resident still inside. The fire was extinguished, and deputies worked with fire officials to investigate the fire and death. 

The Hancock County Coroner was called to the scene, along with an investigator from the Illinois Fire Marshal’s Office. The victim was removed from the scene and transported for autopsy. Preliminary results show that the victim died of carbon monoxide and smoke inhalation. 

The fire itself remains under investigation. No foul play is suspected to have occurred.