 Killed in Fire
Five children, members of two Rock Falls families, met their deaths at an early hour this morning when they were trapped in their bedrooms, following the explosion of an oil heater, and a sisth was in the Sterling hospital in critical condition with but slight hope being entertained for his recovery. The building, a former garage which had been converted into a two-room living quarters was located in the rear of 1200 Eighth avenue, Rock Falls and was occupied by Mrs. Lawrence McKenna, a divorcee, and her two children, and Mrs. Bernice Ewert, a widow and her three children. The dead are Beverly Ann McKenna 5, and Walter McKenna, 3, and Carol Ann Ewert, 18 months, Shaon Ewert, 4 and Jack Ewert. Arthur Ewert, 8, was the only survivor and his condition is very critical. Carol Ann and Sharon Ewert and Beverly McKenna died in their bedroom, while Jack Ewert and Walter McKenna died later after being removed to the hospital. The mothers of both families of children were away from home, MRs. McKenna being employed at the Pig & Bun service station located on US Route 30. Mrs. Ewert was reported to have left her place of employment at the Linton Nursing Home in Sterling. Clifford Icenoble, who resided in the residence on the lot where the former garage is located, returned to his home a few minutes after 12 o'clock this morning and before entering the house, observed a bright reflection in the two-room dwelling. An explosion followed soon after and he succeeded in shattering a window and pulled Arthur Ewert from the flaming interior. The Rock Falls fire department extinguished the flame in the living room and removed the three children still alive to the Sterling hospital. Two of the smaller children apparently were suffocated as they slept and the body of the third was found on the floor between the bunks in which he slefpt, indicating that he had been aroused and died while attemptin to escape from the building. The bodies of Beverly and Walter McKenna were removed to the Wheelock funeral home in Rock Falls while those of the Ewert children were taken to the Meyer funeral home in Sterling. An inquest was scheduled at the Wheelock establishment this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
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