ELLSINORE, Mo. (AP) - A man in his late 70s is dead following a fire that destroyed his home in southeastern Missouri.
A passerby spotted the wooden home near the Carter County town of Ellsinore in flames late Tuesday. Firefighters found the man's body several hours later, after putting out the flames.
The Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic reports that deputy coroner Eric McSpadden identified the victim Wednesday as Jesse Cates, believed to be about 77 years old. An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death.
Authorities said Cates lived alone. The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Missouri fire marshal.
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Information from: Daily American Republic, http://www.darnews.com