An early-morning house fire in Homer (IL) Thursday killed two men and seriously injured a husband and wife.
The victims are identified as 25-year-old Ricky Tester and 41-year-old Zach Highfill.

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said they were living in the single-story house at 307 W. Crittenden Street with Tester's younger brother and his wife.

Homer Fire Chief Don Happ reported the call for help came about 3:25 am. Tim Hester and his wife, Aubrey (Tester) ran across the street to a neighbor's house, waking them to call for help.

Fire Chief Happ lives a few houses away. He was first on the scene. Some 30 firefighters from Homer, Ogden-Royal, St. Joseph-Stanton and Sidney, were on the scene.

Firefighters had the blaze under control in about an hour.

Ricky Tester was found near the front door. Mr. Highfill was found in the bathtub.

Initial thoughts are that the tragedy may have been caused by fire left burning in the fireplace. Happ said the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office is investigating.

Chief Happ said it's unknown if they had a smoke detector.

The chief said one dog died in the fire and two others survived.

94.1 WGFA