78-year-old man dies at scene of rural Sheridan fire

Details of fire pending investigation

Smoke smolders from the roof of Harpers Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025 in Sheridan. Here, the Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheiff deputies work the scene of the fire. — Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper's Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheriff's Office were among the responders. (Scott Anderson)

January 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm CST

A 78-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a commercial fire Tuesday afternoon in Sheridan.

Firefighters were dispatched at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday to Harper’s Towing, 2899 U.S. 52, for a structure fire. Newark Fire Department was first on scene.

La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch reported at 6:13 p.m. that a 78-year-old man, a resident of that address, was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his family.

Details on the source and cause of the fire are pending.

Newark Fire and EMS along with La Salle County Sheriff deputies work the scene of a fire at Harpers Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025 in Sheridan. Here, the Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheiff deputies work the scene of the fire. — Newark Fire and EMS along with La Salle County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a fire at Harper's Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan.

Smoke smolders from the roof of Harpers Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025 in Sheridan. — Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper's Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. (Scott Anderson)