BETTENDORF, Iowa — UPDATE: Mary Wickham, 63, died from her injuries from the fire on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.
Original story:
Two people died after an early morning house fire in Bettendorf. Police say a 66-year-old man and 5-year-old girl both died of smoke inhalation at the hospital.
The Bettendorf Police Department identified the 66-year-old man as Robert Wickham and the 5-year-old girl as Taylor Treanton.
Additionally, Mary Wickham, 63, is in critical condition. Jodd Wickham, 18, was able to escape the fire with minor injuries.
Robert and Mary were Jodd's parents and Taylor's grandparents, Bettendorf Police said.
The fire started after 5:30 A.M. Thursday morning, as Bettendorf Fire Department responded to a fire on Riverview Lane next to Neil Armstrong Elementary School.
The Bettendorf Fire Chief says the home was full of smoke when crews arrived, after a fire started on the northwest corner.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and is not believed to be suspicious.
A neighbor says he knew the family.
"(They're) a very good family, honest and hardworking," Dwayne Hanson says.
Before the news of their deaths, he shared his sympathies to the family.
"(When you) see the fie, you immediately feel sorry for the family," Hanson says. "Especially in January, it's the worst time of year to have a fire. You feel sorry, feel a little heartbroken and everything."
The Bettendorf Community School District issued a statement this evening --
"This is a sad and tragic day for all of us in the Bettendorf Community School District and the broader community. We have come to learn about the passing of members of a Bettendorf family due to the tragic home fire on Thursday. Words cannot begin to express our feelings of pain and grief over the loss of life. In addition to a Bettendorf parent, one of our precious preschool students has passed and one of our high school students and a parent were injured. We pray for their quick recovery."
"This family lived next door to Neil Armstrong Elementary School. They were our friends and neighbors and our hearts are heavy as we mourn with the family."
"We will have additional counselors available to address the needs of students and staff members within the District and will continue to provide support to our school families as we process this painful event."