GODFREY – A fire in the roof and ceiling of the crematory area of Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home and Crematory in Godfrey drew a commercial box alarm response Sunday after a maintenance worker spotted flames and smoke, according to Godfrey Fire Protection District Chief Eric Cranmer.
The call came out at 5:11 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2026, for the business at 1313 W. Delmar Ave. in Godfrey. Godfrey, Alton, Fosterburg, and Brighton fire departments responded, along with the Madison County Rehab Unit, Cranmer said.
Flames and smoke were seen in the ceiling and roof of the back area of the crematory, Cranmer said. He said a maintenance worker had come to get some tools, spotted the flames and smoke, and immediately called the fire department.
Godfrey crews arrived quickly and used a ladder truck to attack the flames and smoke in the ceiling, Cranmer said. Other firefighters then entered the business to contain the smoke.
Firefighters contained the fire to the crematory area and roof, and the main part of the funeral home did not appear to suffer any damage, Cranmer said.
“As always, the firefighters did a great job and kept the fire from spreading,” he said.
Cranmer said he believed the main part of the funeral home would remain open and was unaffected by the fire because of the work of fire personnel. He said fire personnel left the scene at 6:45 p.m. Sunday.
