Two Die in Christpher House Fire

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Two people died in Christopher a house fire early Friday morning.

According to a spokesman for the Christopher Fire Department, the fatalities occurred in a home located at 304 S. State St., Christopher, about two blocks south of where the old Savoy Restaurant stood.

The victims have been identified as Doris Livesay, in her 70s, and a daughter, Debbie Reed.

The Franklin County coroner's office is investigating, as is the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

Christopher and Coello fire departments were called to the location at 1:15 a.m. Friday. Firefighters were on the scene for more than three hours, and the house was deemed a total loss.

Rescuers were warned about "popping" noises or small "explosions" coming from the rear of the house, thought to be stored ammunition or oxygen canisters.