A 32-year-old woman has been identified as the victim of a fire that occurred Sunday at a rural residence in Sterling, Illinois.
Christina Haugen was confirmed as the victim of the fire at 5500 Mill St. in Emerson, Whiteside County, according to an announcement by Sheriff John F. Booker on Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy conducted earlier that morning verified Haugen’s identity.
The fire broke out around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday. Haugen, who resided in the home, was discovered on Monday at approximately 2:30 p.m. during a recovery operation carried out by the Sterling Fire Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal, and Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.
Complete autopsy results are pending, and both the cause of death and the origin of the fire remain under investigation, Booker stated.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Christina Haugen,” read a statement in the Tuesday press release.
On Sunday, Sterling and Rock Falls firefighters, along with CGH EMS, responded to reports of a structure fire with visible flames and smoke. Mutual aid was requested from nearby departments, including Dixon Rural Fire and Polo, as units were en route, according to the Sterling Fire Department.
Sterling firefighters arrived within 10 minutes to find heavy smoke and flames throughout the first floor. Due to the severity of the fire and a partial ceiling collapse, fire crews were forced to evacuate after multiple attempts to search the interior, the department reported.
The incident prompted a second alarm, ultimately involving 16 fire departments in the response.
“The Sterling Fire Department would like to express its gratitude to the responding fire departments for their assistance,” the department stated.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Sterling Fire Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, and Whiteside County Coroner’s Office.