ROCKFORD, Ill. — A local man died after being found inside a house that had caught on fire.

Just before 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, Rockford Fire Department crews were called to a house fire in the 2700 block of Horton Street. When they arrived, they saw smoke coming from the home.

The firefighters searched the house and found 52-year-old Edward Hammonds Jr. inside. He was taken from the house and brought to a local emergency room.

Despite life-saving efforts, Hammonds Jr. was pronounced dead just before 9:30 a.m.

An autopsy confirmed Hammonds Jr. died from smoke inhalation from the fire.

The Winnebago County Coroner's Office is working with the Rockford Fire Department to investigate the incident.

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