At 5:24AM on June 22 a good Samaritan reported to the Jefferson County Emergency
Communications Center seeing a residence engulfed in flames. Emergency response units responded to a
structure fire located at 2487 Ash Ave South of Batavia in rural Jefferson County. Efforts were made to extinguish
the fire, but the structure was completely burned. Tragically, the resident of the home, David Headley, 66 years
of age, was located in the remains of the structure, deceased. Several surviving dogs were recovered from the
scene of the fire.
Fire rescue units from Batavia, Libertyville, and Eldon fire departments responded, along with units from
the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s
office and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, and the cause and manner of Mr. Headley’s death will be
determined by the State Medical Examiner’s office, pending autopsy results.