Rock Falls fire that killed 5 started on home's first floor

ROCK FALLS, Ill. (AP) - Fire officials in northern Illinois say a fire that killed five members of a family started in their home's first-floor living room.

The Rock Falls Fire Department said Thursday that the cause of the early Wednesday fire is still under investigation. Firefighters responding to the blaze found a husband and wife and three of their children dead on the second floor of the home.

Fire officials say crews that first arrived at the scene reported hearing a smoke detector on the first floor but not on the second floor where bedrooms were located.

Autopsies are pending but officials say the family likely died of smoke inhalation.

The victims were 61-year-old Patrick Hopkins, his wife 49-year-old Mary Hopkins and their children, 24-year-old Maggie, 16-year-old Donovan and 13-year-old Katie Jo.