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Mother, 2 Children Dead After Fire In Rural Lexington

Fire truck
WGLT file photo

Authorities have identified a mother and her two young children who were killed in a fire early Saturday at a mobile home park in rural Lexington.

Killed in the blaze were Hillery R. Peters, 27, and her children, Emerlyn G. Bennett, 3, and 16-month-old Sawyer J. Bennett, said McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder. Preliminary autopsy results show all three died from carbon monoxide intoxication due to inhalation of smoke and soot, Yoder said.

There was no apparent evidence of "altercation, infection, or non-fire-related injury," Yoder said. Toxicology results are pending.

The fire broke out inside a mobile home around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at Westwind Estates, west of Lexington, said McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage.

Peters and Emerlyn were pronounced dead at the scene. Sawyer died at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

The MABAS 41 fire investigation team, sheriff's office, and State Fire Marshal's office are investigating the cause of the blaze.

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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