Salem fire claims the life of former mayor

A fire at a home in Salem on Thursday took the life of a former mayor of that community.

Salem Fire was called out just before 5:30 a.m. to the home on Farris Street. Smoke was reportedly filling the home when firefighters arrived and they were alerted that one person was trapped inside. There was heavy fire to deal with before they could search the house. They located a man in a bedroom, later identified as former Salem Mayor Rell Peck, and got him out. Livingston EMS rushed him to Livingston Hospital where he passed away. 

Peck's wife was able to escape the flames.

Salem Fire, assisted by fire departments from Burna, Smithland, and Ledbetter, was able to put the fire out. No word on the cause of the fire.