1 dead in fire near Pyletown

Joshua Sandusky, 22, lost his life in an early morning fire on County Road 659 southwest of Pyletown Sunday morning. A female inside the home at the time of the fire escaped injury, according to Bernie Fire Chief Wayne Freed whose department responded to a call for help at about 6:20 a.m.

The female subject, who has not been identified, reportedly exited the home to seek help, and when she re-entered the residence to awaken Sandusky, she was overcome by thick smoke, forcing her out of the burning structure.

Sandusky was found in a bedroom of the rural Stoddard County home, which was actually two single-wide trailer homes joined as one unit. The home was located nearly one mile south of H Highway on County Rd. 659. No other homes were threatened by the flames.

A State Fire Marshal from the Wappapello area was summoned to the scene Sunday.

"That is common practice when a death is involved in a structure fire," Freed confirmed.

An autopsy was performed on Sandusky on Monday. That procedure is also commonplace following a death in a home fire, Freed said.

Results from both the Fire Marshal and the autopsy will likely take several weeks.

Sandusky has reportedly been living in the home for less than a month.

Joshua Sandusky had lived in the Dexter area for the past 10 years and attended Dexter Public Schools. He was employed in the field of construction and excavating.

A full obituary appears on page five of today's Daily Statesman.