Two brothers died in a fire early this morning at the family home in Brookfield.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Two brothers died in a fire early this morning at the family home in Brookfield.
Chad Martin, age 13, and Dane Martin, age 10, were pronounced dead at the scene by the acting Linn County Coroner, Sheriff Tom Parks. The two were among four children who were in the home, which was located at 417 Brooks.
According to the Brookfield Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a residential fire at around 12:30 this morning. The officers and a deputy from the Linn County Sheriff?s Office arrived within one minute and found a fire burning through the roof of the northwest corner of the home, with smoke emitting from all sides of the residence. The officers were met by the boys? brother and sister, both of whom had also been in the home and who indicated the two boys were still in the residence. Officers made several attempts to enter the house, but were driven back by intense heat and thick smoke.
The Brookfield Fire Department arrived on the scene approximately four minutes later to control the blaze and members of the department made entry into the building to rescue the two boys. Firemen discovered Chad at 12:50 a.m. and Dane at 12:55 a.m. Medical attention was given to both boys, however, they were pronounced dead the scene.
Parents of the four children, Charles and Sondra Martin, were at their respective places of employment at the time of the fire.
The Missouri Fire Marshal?s office was contacted to investigate and help determine the cause of the fire. According to police, investigators at the scene indicated that the preliminary nature of the fire is believed to have been accidental, attributed to wiring on an electrical clothes dryer in the utility area of the home.
Both bodies were transported to Columbia for a formal forensic autopsy, which is required by state law due to the ages of the victims.