Franklin County authorities have identified the body of a Benton who died Thursday morning in an early morning fire.
Joni Rae Ziegler, 56, died of smoke inhalation in the fire at 1217 North Main St, according to information released by Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler. Funeral arrangements are incomplete for Ziegler at Union Funeral Home, in West Frankfort.
Joni Rae Ziegler died in an early morning house fire at the Benton residence on Thursday morning.
(Photo by Leigh Caldwell)
Benton firefighters responded to the blaze shortly before 8 a.m. and the fire was engaged with flames and smoke coming out the windows when firemen arrived.
Ziegler’s son was able to get out of the house but first responders could not reach the victim in time.
The state’s fire marshal was called in to investigate the fire. Along with Benton, firefighters from Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District, West City, and West Frankfort responded to the fire while the Buckner Fire Department covered the Benton station.
The fire in Benton was one of two fatal fired Thursday morning in Southern Illinois. Frank Horton, a 56-year-old Jefferson County man also perished in a fire at his Waltonville home. Horton, who was legally blind and lived alone, also died of smoke inhalation.
Cause of the fire is under investigation by Benton Fire Department and the state fire marshal’s office.
Benton firefighters were assisted by firefighters from West City, West Frankfort and Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District; Buckner firefighters covered the Benton station.
Funeral arrangements for Ziegler are pending at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort.
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