Two Killed in House Fire in Greenup

Two people were killed Saturday night in a house fire in Greenup.

Those who died are 60-year-old Darrell Albert and 28-year-old Timothy Thomas. They lived at 518 North Mill in Greenup. 

Cumberland County Coroner Chuck Layton said Albert was alone in the house when Thomas and others in the family outside the house saw the fire. Layton said Thomas went into the house in an attempt to rescue Albert and they both perished in the fire.

Darrell Albert was the uncle of Timothy Thomas' wife, Valerie. Timothy and Valerie Thomas and their two children and Albert all lived in the home. None of the other family members were injured.

Layton said the home was a total loss. The cause of the fire is still being determined. A representative of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office was on scene to help determine the cause of the fire. Layton said Valerie Thomas indicated a window air-conditioning unit was on fire, prompting Timothy Thomas to go into the house to make the rescue attempt.

Greenup firefighters were notified of the fire at 9:20pm Saturday. Layton pronounced Thomas and Albert dead at the scene at 10:45pm.

Layton said an autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause of death of both men.