Sheriff: Smoke killed 5 in Illinois mobile home fire

SHERRARD, Ill. — Authorities say the five people killed in a western Illinois mobile home fire died of smoke inhalation.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department said Friday that autopsies confirmed the cause of death.

Coroner Ron McNall said Thursday that the victims were 38-year-old Anna Viager; her 8-year-old daughter, Breana Viager; 15-year-old Cassandra Turner; 10-year-old Jessica Harker and 13-year-old Holli Harker.

The Sheriff’s Department said Friday that it won’t confirm the identities until DNA tests are completed by the State Police crime lab.

Authorities have said a man and two boys escaped.

Sheriff Tom Thompson says there’s no indication of foul play, although investigators still are trying to determine how the fire started.

Sherrard is a village of about 640 residents 180 miles west of Chicago and just south of the Quad Cities.