Tamms, Ill. woman dies in house fire

TAMMS, Ill.--A 33-year-old Tamms, Ill., woman died in a house fire Tuesday afternoon.

Lisa Smith died of asphyxiation probably from smoke inhalation, said Alexander County Coroner Harold McNelly Thursday. McNelly pronounced Smith's death at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday.

Cairo, Ill. police responded to a call at about 2:38 p.m. from a neighbor saying flames were coming from the eaves of the house located at 738 Third Street.

Responders from Tamms, Ullin and Horseshoe Lake arrived and found the single-story house at 738 Third Street completely engulfed in flames.

Although Lisa Smith could not escape the fire, McNelly said her step-son, Michael Smith, was able to get himself and his girlfriend, her child and two other children out of the house safely.

American Red Cross workers also responded and found housing for the residents, McNelly said.

The house was completely destroyed by the flames, he said.

For more details, check back at www.semissourian.com or Friday's Southeast Missourian.