3-year-old dies, 1 critically hurt in Decatur house fire

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A 3-year-old boy died and a 73-year-old man is in critical condition following a house fire last week in Decatur.

The Sangamon County Coroner confirmed Monday that the boy died a few days after the fire.

Firefighters were called to the 1500 block of E. Vanderhoof St. around 8:40 a.m. on Feb. 17, near S. 16th Street and not far from Eisenhower High School.

Someone driving by saw the fire and called 911. Fire officials said they arrived to find heavy smoke and fire at the home.

Decatur Fire Department Chief Neil Elder told WAND News shortly after the fire that both were transported outside of Decatur for treatment. The adult victim was transferred to a Rockford hospital. The child was taken to Springfield for specialized care.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Person killed in Edgar County crash identified

Missing piece of 9/11 Memorial found in Lake Decatur

Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office asks for help in solving 1987 missing person case