The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department confirms there was a fatal residential fire near Preemption Sunday night. The Sherrard Fire Department was paged to 1531 U.S. Highway 67 after 9 p.m. They were assisted by fire departments from Matherville, Viola, Blackhawk, Orion and Coyne Center. Two people died in the fire, Matthew Phelps, 31, and his four year old son, Kash. The incident is currently under investigation.
