Fatal Emerson fire cause ruled ‘undetermined’

DIXON — The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office says investigators have not been able to pinpoint the specific cause of a fatal Jan. 19 house fire near Sterling, Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesman JC Fultz said.

Christina M. Haugen, 32, who resided at the home at at 5500 Mill St. in Emerson, died in the blaze. Her body was discovered about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 during a search conducted by the Sterling Fire Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal and Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office. The Whiteside County Coroner’s Office is awaiting complete autopsy results to confirm her cause of death.

The house caught fire about 3:15 p.m. Jan. 19. Sterling and Rock Falls firefighters and CGH EMS were called to the scene for a reported structure fire with flames and smoke visible. Mutual aid from surrounding departments was requested while units were en route, according to a news release from the Sterling Fire Department.

Sterling firefighters arrived within 10 minutes and found heavy smoke and fire conditions throughout the first floor of the structure. A second alarm was requested later, bringing a total of 16 departments to the scene, according to the release.

Fire crews made multiple attempts to search the interior of the structure, but were forced to evacuate due to heavy fire conditions and a partial collapse of the ceiling on the first floor, according to the release.