Investigation into fatal November fire still ongoing

MT. MORRIS – The investigation continues into the fire that took the lives of a 27-year-old Mt. Morris woman and her unborn son late last year, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.

Melissa Lamesch was found on the kitchen floor in her single-story home at 206 S. Hannah Ave. in Mt. Morris on Nov. 25, after the Ogle County 911 center received multiple calls at 4:29 p.m. for smoke coming from the residence. Firefighters found heavy smoke and heat as they entered the structure.

Life-saving measures were attempted on Lamesch, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“We don’t have any additional information right now,” VanVickle said. “The investigation is still ongoing. It’s still pending. The case is under investigation for the origin of the fire and the cause of death.”

VanVickle said investigators have been communicating with Lamesch’s family during the investigation. The Mt. Morris Police, State Fire Marshal and Ogle County Coroner’s Office are also involved in the investigation.

Ogle County Coroner Lou Finch said near the end of the year that more extensive information was asked for in the toxicology report and autopsy of Lamesch. VanVickle declined to reveal where those details of the investigation stood on Tuesday.

Lamesch’s son was due three days after the fire. She worked as an EMT since June 2016 and was working for Trace Ambulance in Tinley Park. Lamesch graduated from Oregon High School in 2011.