Tamms woman killed in Tuesday house fire

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

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

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

Responders from Tamms, Ullin and Horseshoe Lake arrived and found the single-story house engulfed in flames.

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

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

The house was destroyed by the flames, he said.

McNelly said as far as he knew no foul play was suspected and the damage was so extensive it couldn't be determined how the fire started. A fire marshal is investigating, he said.

McNelly said Michael Smith reported that he was watching television when the sound of glass breaking alerted him to the fire, which he said quickly spread.

The fire was extinguished by 5:53 p.m. when McNelly arrived.

carel@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127