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House fire in Cahokia Heights kills 2 people, injuring others

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2023

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – Two people are dead and several others, including firefighters, are injured after a Cahokia Heights house fire.

The fire broke out on Interstate 255 and Route 15, and several occupants were trapped inside the burning home. As first responders arrived on the scene, thick black smoke could be seen for miles.

The blaze happened around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The St. Clair County Coroner identified the victims as 78-year-old Bob Tierce and 82-year-old Larry Wetzel. Several others were hurt, including firefighters.

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Chief Dimario Douglas of the Alorton Fire Department was the first one on the scene and helped rescue people from the home.

“We get in, and we saw the two victims laying down on the ground. And that’s when we were able to pull those two out and come back and do a second primary search and rescue and found the third victim in the kitchen,” Douglas said.

The fire chief said he knew the victims.

“Good people, this is my community. I love my people here. This is the bad part that I hate,” Douglas said. “We did our best, hats off to the mutual aid guys. We did exactly what we could.”

Samantha Stephens was good friends with Tierce and is heartbroken.

“We go shopping together, grocery shopping, I help him with dog food. He’s very kind, generous man, always wanting to help people,” she said. “He was always generous with everyone, he’s just a good guy.”

Wetzel and another victim were taken to a hospital in critical condition with smoke inhalation. Wetzel later died, and the other person remains in critical condition. Tierce died at the scene.

Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries. Crews from multiple fire departments responded to the scene. There was a large amount of debris in front of the home. Fire officials said that made the rescues more challenging.

The victims’ neighbors are in shock.

“Down to earth, he just a real good guy. In any kind of way, however, whatever he could do for you, he would do,” said Charles Harris. “If you need him, it didn’t make no difference when or what he was there.”

The state fire marshal has been called in to help with the investigation. So far, a cause has not been determined.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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