GRANITE CITY — Firefighters rescued a trapped person from a burning private residence in the 2200 block of Johnson Road in Granite City early Thursday morning, Aug. 20, 2026, after a nearby crew saw the fire while responding to assist EMS, Granite City Fire Chief Todd Richey said. The Madison County Coroner's Office said the woman later died at Gateway Medical Center.
Chief Richey said one person was found with entrapment, removed from the residence and transported to a hospital. He said the person’s outcome could not be shared at this time.
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The fire was toward the front side of the house, Richey said. Station 3, which is close to the area on Johnson Road, was responding to assist EMS when firefighters saw the fire while driving by the location, he said.
Richey said firefighters acted quickly, got the victim out first and cared for the patient with incoming crews while the rest of the crew extinguished the fire.
The Mitchell Fire Department said it provided mutual aid assistance for the Granite City Fire Department at approximately 4:12 a.m. “in reference to a working structure fire at a private residence.”
Mitchell Engine Unit No. 1121 and Chief No. 1100 responded to the scene. The department said Engine No. 1121 crew members were assigned interior overhaul and other tasks.
