Victim identified in Jackson fatal fire

Authorities have identified the victim in a fatal house fire as 68-year-old Emma Sue Wright of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said Friday.

Clifton said Wright died of smoke inhalation.

Four other members of Wright's family made it out of the house at 204 Westvale Drive safely, Jackson fire chief Jason Mouser said Thursday.

Firefighters began receiving calls about a fire at the split-level house about 3:10 a.m. Thursday; by the time they arrived minutes later, the fire was about 80 percent involved, Mouser said Thursday.

Wind and extreme cold hampered firefighters' efforts, and it took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control, Mouser has said.

The state fire marshal is investigating. Firefighters initially expected to get word on the official cause of the fire this weekend, but Mouser said Friday the weather may slow down the investigation.

"It may take a little longer than anticipated due to the fact that everything is frozen now. It may be harder to sift through debris," he said

Firefighters suspect the blaze may have started in the garage, Mouser said.

"We feel like the area of origin is on the lower level in the garage area. ... Everything collapsed down in that area, so we really have no idea at this time," he said.

On Thursday, Mouser said the fire appeared to be accidental.

The fatal fire was the second in Jackson in less than a month.

A Dec. 29 accidental fire in an apartment at 320 Shawnee Circle killed Sandra Riggins.

Pertinent address:

204 West Vale Drive, Jackson, MO