ALTON — The Alton Fire Department encountered a very tragic situation early Monday morning, Dec. 1, 2025, when they discovered a man and a dog who had died in a fire.The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 1 in the 900 block of Rixon in Alton. Firefighters arrived to find a single-story home fully engulfed in flames, Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson said.Despite temperatures in the 20s, crews immediately began attacking the fire, working until about 5:15 a.m. Monday, before remaining on scene until the state fire marshal's office completed its work.“One of my captains found the body and another captain found the dog,” Richardson said. “The weather was a hindrance, but the first shift, which is made up of highly trained, dedicated individuals, immediately went to w

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