A Brighton man died in a Christmas Day fire in rural Brighton.

According to the Macoupin County Coroner Brad Targhetta , at 2:32am on Sunday, he was notified of a garage fire with one fatality at 2908 Brighton-Bunker Hill Road. The fire was reported at 1:51am to the Macoupin County 911.

The victim was identified at 83 year old Thomas Vernatti who lived alone at the address. An Autopsy will be performed.

The Illinois Fire Marshall's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District and the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office were initially on the scene of the fire.