CHILLICOTHE – An infant is dead following a trailer fire at Pinewood Estates on Jan. 14.
Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said deputies responded to 2607 E. Rome Road at around 2:33 p.m. after receiving a report of the fire and were later advised that a woman and baby were believed to be inside.
The woman and two juveniles were found outside of the residence. According to a news release, the woman told deputies she was unable to reach her baby, who remained inside.
Heavy smoke and fire conditions prevented deputies from entering the residence, according to Watkins. The 8-month-old child was later found dead by fire personnel. The infant’s identity will be released by the Peoria County Coroner’s Office at a later point.
The woman and two juveniles were taken to an area hospital, with the woman needing treatment for smoke-inhalation-related injuries. One deputy was also taken to a local hospital after sustaining “a serious cut to his wrist during attempts to force entry,” according to the release.
“Our thoughts are with the family affected by this tragedy and with the first responders who responded to the scene,” Watkins said in the release.
Multiple fire departments, AMT units and the Chillicothe Police Department responded to the scene. The incident remains under investigation.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Baby dies following Chillicothe trailer fire, police say
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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