By Associated Press - Monday, December 26, 2016

BRIGHTON, Ill. (AP) - An autopsy has been scheduled for an 83-year-old man found dead Christmas morning after a fire broke out in his southwestern Illinois garage.

The Macoupin County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Thomas J. Vernatti of Brighton. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (https://bit.ly/2iajoeR ) an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Authorities say Vernatti lived alone at the address.



Fire officials and police were called around 2 a.m. on Sunday. The Illinois Fire Marshal’s Office has been contacted to investigate the fire.

No further details were available.

Brighton is about 75 miles from Springfield.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, https://www.sj-r.com

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