An 8-month-old infant was found dead Wednesday afternoon following a mobile home fire in Chillicothe, authorities said.
Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said in a news release sheriff’s deputies responded to the fire at Pinewood Estates in the 2600 block of East Rome Road shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Deputies said they were unable to get in the home at first due to heavy smoke and fire conditions. They said the mother and two juveniles were outside the mobile home. The mother told authorities her infant child remained inside and couldn't reach her.
Deputies said the infant was found dead inside the home, while the mother and the two juveniles were transported to a Peoria-area hospital for evaluation. The mother is being treated for smoke inhalation.
The identity of the infant has not yet been released.
The Chillicothe Fire Department put out the fire with assistance from multiple departments.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and Peoria County authorities.
Watkins said one sheriff’s deputy alsowas taken to the hospital for a minor injury.
