12-year-old girl killed in early-morning Creve Coeur house fire

CREVE COEUR — A 12-year-old girl was killed early Wednesday in a house fire in Creve Coeur, according to authorities.

The body of Madelynn B. McCain was recovered from the upper level of a house at 500 Groveland St., according to Creve Coeur police Chief Dale King. Wednesday was the girl's 12th birthday.

Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley said an autopsy for McCain is scheduled for Friday morning.

When police arrived at the house, about 4:30 a.m., they found it fully engulfed in flames. A resident who escaped told officers his girlfriend's daughter still was inside.

A girl who was visiting escaped by jumping from a second-story window, according to King. Her age was not available. 

Officers were unable to enter the house. Shortly thereafter, firefighters from East Peoria arrived and began to douse the flames.

The girl who escaped the fire sustained injuries related to smoke inhalation. She was treated at and released from OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Hours after the fire was extinguished, large burn scars emanated from the house windows and the roof. Assorted items were scattered in the yard, and yellow caution tape ringed the property.

Most neighbors who were asked said they didn't hear or see anything. But Barbara Beam, who lives next door, said she awoke about 4 a.m. to flashing red lights.

When Beam opened her window, she saw flames shooting from the house roof. She said she didn't hear an explosion or any loud noises earlier. 

Ranae Nava, who resides across from the burned house, knew the family that lived there. She said they moved into the area last summer, and she had gone to the house to welcome them to the neighborhood.

They were quiet and didn't make a lot of noise, Nava said. 

Hanley said his office, Creve Coeur police and fire, as well as the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal are continuing to investigate.