Five members of the same family died in an early morning Rock Falls house fire. Investigators said the family, two adults and three older children, apparently died of smoke inhalation. One of the victims was a firefighter's sister.
According to television station WQAD8, all five victims were found in upstairs bedrooms and all likely died from smoke inhalation. Victims, all members of the Hopkins family, were Patrick, 61, Mary, 49, Maggie, 28, Donovan 16 and Katie, 13. The station reported one of the victims was the sister of a firefighter. Television station ABC7Chicago reported the couple had two other adult children.
The fire was reported at about 5 a.m. and is believed to have started in the downstairs living room although the cause had not been determined, both television stations reported.
Rock Falls Deputy Fire Chief Bill Milby said in a statement: "Crews made several attempts to reach the second floor bedrooms but the fire had extended into that area."
Firefighters remained at the scene of the fire hours after it was put out and it's cause remains under investigation.
