Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson has released the names of the two victims who died in the explosion and fire at Fairmount Tuesday.

The two bodies were recovered from the ruins of the home along 1333 North Road, south of Fithian. 77-year-old Delores Sapp lived at the residence. 64-year-old Floyd Walton of Fairmount was also a victim.

Johnson says they died from blunt force trauma due to the blast from the explosion before the flames engulfed the house. The Illinois State Fire Marshal is looking into the cause of the house explosion.

Fairmount Fire Chief Dave Ferber said firefighters found debris spread over a wide area, but most of the home had collapsed into the basement. Firefighters from a dozen departments answered the call. Chief Ferber expects a lengthy, drawn-out investigation.

The Vermilion County Sheriff’s department was also investigating.

94.1 WGFA