McLean County authorities identify mobile home fire victims

LEXINGTON, Ill. (AP) - Investigators in central Illinois have yet to determine what caused a fire that claimed the lives of a mother and two children, authorities said Sunday.

County Coroner Kathy Yoder identified the victims as Hillery R. Peters, 27, Emerlyn Bennett, 3, and 16-month-old Sawyer Bennett. The victims died of carbon monoxide intoxication from inhaling smoke and soot, Yoder said.

The fire in a mobile home near Lexington was reported at 3 a.m. Saturday. Authorities say firefighters arrived quickly, however the fire had advanced too far and prevented rescue of the victims.

Fire departments from Lexington, Chenoa, Towanda, Hudson and Normal battled the fire. The cause is under investigation by the McLean County Coroner's Office, state fire marshal's office and the McLean County Sheriff's Department.