A 54-year-old man died in a house fire in Watseka early Saturday. Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum identified the victim as Kevin Kaufman. An autopsy was planned. 

The fire’s cause appeared to be electrical in nature, starting in a garage where was victim had been staying with another couple at 335 W. North Street. The couple living at the residence escaped unharmed. {Jacob & Bridgett Hudson had been allowing Kaufman to live in the garage}
Watseka Fire Chief Ken Baier reports the State Fire Marshall is investigating. Chief Baier said smoke detectors could have prevented the tragic outcome. He said ‘there were no working smoke detectors on the property. The Chief called the fire ‘accidental.’

The damage estimate was listed at $40,000.

Baier said the fire started in the attached garage where the victim was staying. The living quarters of the house had just smoke damage.

94.1 WGFA