Homer Fire Chief Don Happ tells the (Champaign) News-Gazette that the early-morning Thursday fire also injured two others. Happ says the two survivors ran from the home screaming “Get my family out of the house.” The two were taken to a Springfield hospital for treatment. The victims weren’t immediately identified.

Happ says the home’s occupants had a fire going in a fireplace. He says one victim was found close to the front door and the other close to a bathroom.

The Champaign County coroner was on the scene and Illinois State Fire Marshal was investigating. Firefighters responded from Homer, Ogden-Royal, St. Joseph-Stanton and Sidney.