Daulton Simmers dies in fatal West Peoria foundry fire
Fatal West Peoria foundry fire death of Daulton Simmers – Obituary
Daulton Simmers, a 28-year-old resident of West Peoria, has been identified as the victim who perished Thursday in a fire at Caterpillar’s Mapleton foundry. According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Simmers sustained severe thermal burns and likely died within moments of the incident. A preliminary autopsy has been conducted, though a toxicology report is still awaited.
Simmers was pronounced dead around 5 p.m. on Thursday after the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office responded to a blaze at the foundry located along U.S. Highway 24, southwest of Peoria. Upon arrival, authorities confirmed both the fire and Simmers’ death.
Sheriff Chris Watkins reported that Simmers was in the process of transferring molten metal from a large furnace to a smaller pot when the metal spilled, causing a fire that engulfed him.
Both the sheriff’s office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the incident. Caterpillar has expressed profound sorrow over Simmers’ death and committed to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. They have also announced that counselors will be available for employees at the Mapleton Foundry.
This marks the third fatal incident at the Mapleton facility in the past three years. Steven Dierkes, 39, died in June 2022 after falling into molten iron, with an OSHA investigation revealing that Caterpillar had not implemented adequate safety measures beforehand, resulting in proposed fines of $145,027. Earlier, in December 2021, East Peoria resident Scott Adams fell over 20 feet through a floor hole at the facility, suffering fatal injuries. Two contractors were subsequently cited and fined for safety violations.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Simmers’ family and friends to support his fiancé and their children. Of the $4,000 goal, $2,775 has already been raised as of Friday afternoon.
Fatal West Peoria foundry fire death of Daulton Simmers – Obituary Daulton Simmers, a 28-year-old resident of West Peoria, has been identified as the victim who perished Thursday in a fire at Caterpillar’s Mapleton foundry. According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Simmers sustained severe thermal burns and likely died within moments of the incident.…
Fatal West Peoria foundry fire death of Daulton Simmers – Obituary Daulton Simmers, a 28-year-old resident of West Peoria, has been identified as the victim who perished Thursday in a fire at Caterpillar’s Mapleton foundry. According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Simmers sustained severe thermal burns and likely died within moments of the incident.…