Advance victims likely died of smoke inhalation; fire not considered suspicious

ADVANCE, Mo. — Two victims of a fatal house fire Monday in Advance likely died of smoke inhalation, according to preliminary autopsy results.

Stoddard County Coroner Kenny Pope said Wednesday afternoon preliminary results of autopsies performed on victims Andrea Carlisle, 43, and Hercheal Stephens, 41, both of Advance, suggest the cause of death is carbon-monoxide poisoning because of smoke inhalation, but these results are not conclusive or definitive.

A toxicology report was not immediately available.

Pope said foul play has not been ruled out, but according to a Missouri Department of Public Safety spokesman, the fire is not considered suspicious.

The investigation continues, and more details will follow at the investigation’s conclusion.

The fire occurred Monday morning at 706 W. Gabriel St. in Advance, a two-story, wood-frame house.

Exterior damage to the structure’s upper floor was visible.

Missouri Department of Public Safety communications director Mike O’Connell confirmed some details Wednesday via email.

“[The fire] was reported by a volunteer firefighter at approximately 10:50 a.m.” Monday, he wrote.

The fire’s area of origin was along the eastern wall of the second-story bathroom, O’Connell wrote in the email.

“The ignition source could not be located, and the fire is currently listed as undetermined,” O’Connell wrote. “The fire is not considered suspicious.”

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

706 W. Gabriel St., Advance, Mo.