Rockford man dies in Rockford house fire days after mother’s death

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Just five days after mourning the loss of his mother to cancer, Edward Hammonds Jr., 52, died in a house fire alongside his dog, Bear, leaving a grieving family reeling from a second tragedy in less than a week.

According to the Rockford Fire Department, crews were called to a house in the 2700 block of Horton Street at 8:41 a.m. on reports that a person and a dog may still be inside the residence.

Officials said the victim was found within minutes and brought outside before being taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and Animal Control was called to collect the dog.

On Monday, the Winnebago County Coroner identified the victim as Hammonds, Jr.

According to a GoFundMe, Hammonds, Jr.’s mother, Kathie, passed away from cancer on October 19th.

Five days later, Hammonds Jr. and his father were in the Horton Street residence when it caught fire.

“Eddie Jr. and the family dog Bear, unfortunately, did not make it and both are deceased,” family friend Andrea Coogan wrote. “They haven’t even begun to grieve for their mother, let alone now having to grieve her beloved brother Eddie Jr. and the family dog Bear.”

The coroner’s office determined Hammonds, Jr. died of smoke inhalation.