Rockford Man Dies in Residential Fire on Horton Street, Investigation Underway

A man from Rockford has died from smoke inhalation following a residential fire on Horton Street.

Firefighters Discover Victim Inside Burning Home

According to the press release, at approximately 8:40 am on Friday (10/24), Rockford Fire Department personnel responded to a residential fire in the 2700 block of Horton Street.

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When fire crews arrived on the scene, they observed smoke pouring from the residence, and while searching the home, they located a man inside and quickly removed him from the structure.

Fatal Fire Claims Life of Rockford Resident

The Winnebago County Coroner's Office has identified the deceased as 52-year-old Edward Hammonds Jr. of Rockford, Illinois, who was pronounced deceased at 9:23 am on Friday (10/24), despite emergency crews' life-saving efforts.

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An autopsy determined that Hammonds Jr. died from smoke inhalation caused by the fire. The Rockford Fire Department and Winnebago County Coroner's Office are conducting a joint investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.

No additional details were released at this time, and as more information becomes available, this story will be updated.