Five family members are dead following a house fire in Rock Falls. Officials say the blaze broke out yesterday morning inside a home on Second Avenue. The victims have been identified as Patrick and Mary Hopkins and their children, 24-year-old Maggie, 16-year-old Donovan and 13-year-old Katie Jo. Three dogs were also killed. The parents' two other children were not at home at the time.
Autopsies are pending on the bodies, but officials say that the victims likely died of smoke inhalation.
It appears that the flames started in the living room area. Firemen tried to reach the second floor bedrooms in the home, but the fire blocked their effort. The family were found in their bedrooms.
Illinois State Police along with the State Fire Marshall's office and Whiteside County Coroner's office are assisting the Rock Falls Fire Department in the investigation.