A 4-year-old boy died in a house fire Tuesday morning in Bartonville.
John Bankes III was found dead after the fire was brought under control, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. He was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m., the coroner said. The state fire marshal was on the scene conducting an investigation in tandem with the Bartonville Police Department and the Bartonville and Limestone fire departments.
Few details are known about the fire, which occurred at 312 Buena Vista St. The blaze began at about 11:40 a.m., and early scanner traffic indicated someone may have been inside the home at the time.
Rescue equipment filled the small street. Neighbors stood on on their lawns. White smoke hung in the air as the reality sunk in that the little boy had not survived the fire.