Boy, 2, dies in house fire

Southeast Missourian

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- A 2-year-old boy died in a house fire early Saturday morning in Mound City.

According to Larry Fally, an investigator with the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office, the fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. in the kitchen.

Ceasar Rome Simmons was found dead behind a bathroom door in the far end of the mobile home where he had been staying with his stepfather, Anthony Tucker. Tucker and the child reportedly returned home early that morning after having been away all day, and Tucker laid the child down on the couch in the living room.

Fire investigators determined that a burner on an electric range in the kitchen had been left on, and a nearby pan of grease ignited. The fire quickly spread to the kitchen walls and to the wood paneling in the living room area.

Fally said that Ceasar had been scolded before at another residence about turning on the burners of the kitchen range.

"We do not know if the child turned them on in this case or if somebody else did," Fally said.

Tucker had first- and second-degree burns on his legs, Fally said, but did not seek medical treatment.

Ceasar Rome Simmons will be buried in Gary, Ind., on Saturday.