A Friday morning house fire in Georgetown has claimed two lives. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden and Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup released the names of the victims in a joint news release. They say 39-year-old Harold J. Dolph was pronounced dead at 5:26 a.m. at OSF Heart of Mary Emergency Department in Urbana. He reportedly lives at the residence where the fire occurred.
The other victim is 69-year-old Carolyn S. Hanburger who was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:30 a.m. Authorities say she was living at the residence as well. Autopsies to determine the cause of death for both victims have been scheduled for Saturday (March 2, 2019) at the Champaign County Regional Autopsy Facility.
[Firefighters continue to douse water on a blaze that claimed 2 lives in Georgetown Friday morning (March 1, 2019). ** Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge it.]
The Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating along with both the Vermilion and Champaign County Coroner’s Offices.
Georgetown Police Chief Whitney Renaker says the home at 210 Clark Street was engulfed in flames when police and firefighters arrived at around 2:00 a.m. Police broke through a window to rescue Dolph, and a Georgetown Police officer suffered smoke inhalation during the process. Chief Renaker said the officer was taken to OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville for treatment but is expected to be okay.
Georgetown firefighters were assisted on the scene by units from the Westville, Catlin, Ridge Farm and Chrisman fire departments. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.