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Wataga House Fire Death Ruled Accidental
An investigation into a house fire in April that claimed the life of a Wataga woman revealed no foul play, and her death was an accident.

A Knox County coroner's jury deliberated for about 10 minutes before returning the accidental verdict during an inquest into the death of 64-year old Alberta Newburgh. Newburgh was pronounced dead at 10:55 a-m April 27th following a fire in her home at 500 Cole Street in Wataga.

Tim Sandrock, a detective with the Knox County Sheriff's Department, testified that he was dispatched to the residence, where Newburgh's body was found in a bathroom in the back of the home. Sandrock said Newburgh typically spent time in a sitting room in the front of the house, and that room sustained heavy fire damage. He says the fire is believed to be electrical in nature, and the investigation ruled out an intentionally set fire.

Knox County coroner Mark Thomas said Newburgh died from carbon monoxide toxicity as a result of smoke inhalation.

The jury also returned verdicts of suicide in the deaths of 47-year old Richard Myers of Carman on June 9th and 41-year old Sharon Wunsch of Galesburg on June 2nd.
09 23 08 by Newsroom
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