Another Deadly Fire At A Love's Travel Center In Grundy County

DWIGHT, IL — Less than three months after an Arkansas couple perished during an overnight fire at the Love's Travel Center in Grundy County along Interstate 80 between Joliet and Morris, another person has died in an overnight fire, this time at the Love's Travel Center in Dwight.

Grundy County Coroner John W. Callahan announced on Thursday that his office, along with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, are investigating Thursday's early morning fatal fire that claimed the life of a man.

On Friday, Callahan's staff said the fire victim has been identified as Percy L. Eichelberger, 71, of Starkville, Mississippi. The autopsy determined that Eichelberger died from injuries sustained in the fire.

The death remains under investigation by Callahan’s office. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, authorities added.

Thursday's fire occurred at 3 a.m. in the parking lot of Love’s Travel Center, located at 12 W. Northbrook Drive in Dwight.

According to Callahan's press release:

Dwight Fire Protection District Firefighters discovered a fully engulfed cargo van. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered the remains of the unidentified man. Callahan pronounced the victim deceased on scene at 3:55 a.m. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

On Nov. 30, Patch reported that Callahan’s Office released the identities of the two victims who died in an RV fire at the Love’s Travel Center in rural Grundy County that week. The coroner announced that the fire victims have been identified as William S. Davis, 52, and Chelsi A. Bates, 31, both of Mena, Arkansas. The Love's gas station and truck stop is located along I-80 between Morris and Joliet, and it's at the Brisbin Road exit in rural Grundy County.