Victim of fatal Edwardsville fire identified

Edwardsville authorities have identified the victim of a fatal fire March 7 in the 500 block of South 4th Street.

The victim was Amanda Pontalion, 38 years old, according to Edwardsville fire officials.

After an autopsy, authorities stated that the victim died from smoke inhalation.

Edwardsville firefighters, responding to the fire around 11 a.m. Tuesday, were told by neighbors that some occupants of the apartment building were unaccounted for and might be in the apartment.

While fighting the fire, they discovered Pontalion deceased in the apartment, a spokesman said. No other persons were injured. The firefighters also found and helped rescue another person in an adjacent apartment.

Three of the eight apartment units were inhabitable after the fire, authorities stated. The American Red Cross assisted 11 residents of the building with temporary shelter. Those living in undamaged units were able to return home Wednesday night.

The Bonner Springs Fire Department assisted in fire suppression and salvage. Fire investigators from Edwardsville Fire Department were assisted by the Edwardsville Police Department as well as the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department and the Kansas State Fire Marshal.