They recovered Sutton’s body once the fire was under control, in about 20 minutes. Even then, a few rounds here or there would explode. No firefighters were hurt.

What caused the fire hasn’t been determined. Robbins said the fire doesn’t look suspicious. Robbins asked the state fire marshal’s office to investigate, which he says is protocol anytime someone dies in a fire. The fire marshal will be looking for the cause and origin of the blaze.

An autopsy was planned for Wednesday afternoon, according to the St. Clair County coroner’s office.

Sutton’s daughter, Peggy Corey, 57, of Maryland Heights, said Sutton was a U.S. Navy veteran stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. He lied about his age and was 16 when he enlisted. ”I just think it was a generational thing,” Corey said.

Corey grew up in the home on St. Marcella. She and about a half-dozen relatives spent Wednesday morning sifting through the burned home, salvaging photos and other items. The roof was gone. Nearly everything that remained was reduced to rubble. Siding on homes on either side was partly melted from the heat. A mobile home parked in Sutton’s side yard was gutted.