Boy dead, mother injured after Jacksonville house fire

Posted: 08.30.2011 at 5:08 AM

Shaquila Crites holds her 3-month-old son, Kaash Richardson, while she watches emergency personnel work to control a fire in the 600 block of North Fayette Street in Jacksonville on Monday. Crites, who lives at 603 N. Fayette St., said she was well-acquainted with those involved in the fire.

/ Journal-Courier / Nick Turner

Photo: 1 of 2

More slideshows »

Mother hurt trying to rescue son

JACKSONVILLE, ILL. -- A 6-year-old Jacksonville boy has died after a house fire late Monday night.

Isaiah Brooks was pronounced dead at Passavant Hospital just before 10:30 Monday night.

His mother Eva Brooks was also injured in that fire and is in a Springfield hospital.

According to a report in the Jacksonville Journal Courier, Eva ran back inside the burning home when she realized that all of her children had escaped, except 6 year old Isaiah.

Witnesses say that Eva ran upstairs to the second floor bedroom to try and find the boy but was unable to. She was reportedly knocked unconscious when she jumped off the porch roof. Firefighters later discovered Isaiah's body.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

You can read more about this on the Jacksonville Courier site here.