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2-year-old girl, 3-month-old boy were Illinois fire victims

PANA, Ill. (AP) - Two children who died in a central Illinois house fire have been identified as a 2-year-old girl and her baby brother.

The (Decatur) Herald and Review reports (http://bit.ly/2ouDSSL ) that the Christian County coroner identified the victims as toddler Ellaina Graves Emerson and 3-month-old Keith Emerson. The coroner says both children died from carbon monoxide inhalation due to smoke and soot. A fire destroyed their home in the community of Pana early Sunday.

Coroner Amy Winans says both children were found upstairs in separate bedrooms. Ellaina was in her bed and the baby was in his crib.

Police say the children's father, Brian Emerson, suffered severe burns trying to save them. Their mother, Ashea Emerson, also was injured.

Intense heat and smoke prevented firefighters and police from getting into the building right away.

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Information from: Herald & Review, http://www.herald-review.com

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