One man dies after Thursday evening house fire on West Walnut Street in Jacksonville

Fatal fire reported on West Walnut Street

One person was found dead after a residential fire Thursday evening in Jacksonville, Illinois, prompting a joint investigation involving local responders and state fire investigators.

Emergency crews were dispatched at about 6 p.m. Thursday to a home in the 800 block of West Walnut Street. After the fire was brought under control, firefighters located a man’s body inside the residence. Authorities initially withheld the victim’s name while family notifications were pending.

Victim identified; investigators examine possible origin area

The man who died was later identified as Roger Rueter, 66. Fire crews arriving just after 6 p.m. found the front door open and were told a person was still inside the house. Rueter was located deceased during the search. No other occupants were found in the home.

Responders reported that they extinguished isolated areas of smoldering fire and ventilated the residence. While the official cause of the fire had not been announced, preliminary information indicated the incident did not appear suspicious.

Authorities described the fire as not appearing suspicious, while emphasizing that the cause had not yet been determined.

Role of the state fire marshal and what happens next

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with the investigation. In Illinois, state fire investigators are routinely called to work alongside local departments, particularly when a fatality occurs, to help determine origin and cause, document the scene, and conduct interviews as needed. Investigations commonly continue after the flames are out, as teams may need time to examine electrical components, appliances, heating equipment, and other potential ignition sources, and to evaluate how smoke and heat spread through the structure.

Rueter’s cause of death had not been confirmed in the immediate aftermath of the incident. In fatal fire cases, investigators and death investigators typically distinguish between deaths caused directly by burns and those caused by smoke inhalation, toxic exposure, or other medical complications linked to the fire.

Key verified details so far

• Incident type: Residential structure fire with one fatality.
• Date and time: Thursday evening, around 6 p.m.
• Location: 800 block of West Walnut Street; address reported as 842 W. Walnut St.
• Victim: Roger Rueter, 66.
• Status of investigation: Ongoing; fire not believed suspicious at the time of reporting; cause not yet determined.

Authorities have not released further information about how the fire started or when final findings are expected. Officials typically issue updates once investigative work at the scene is complete and any necessary laboratory analysis has been performed.