Man found dead in burning Southern Illinois home

ANNA, Ill. -- Smoke inhalation is the suspected cause of death of an elderly Anna man after a Wednesday night house fire.

According to Chief Mike Stoner of the Anna Fire Department, a fire started in home of Larry Abernathy, 71, at about 9:10 p.m. A fire crew rushed to the home at 304 Wilson St. to battle flames in the living room and remove Abernathy, who lived alone, from the home. Abernathy was found dead with no burns on his body, and Stoner said he suspects Abernathy died from smoke inhalation, pending an autopsy.

Heat and smoke damage caused further damage to the home, and the cause of the fire had yet to be determined early Thursday by the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office, Stoner said.

Pertinent address:

304 Wilson St., Anna IL