Mother, son die in Rochester house fire

Published 10:26 am Monday, July 25, 2016

ROCHESTER — A 51-year-old mother and her 26-year-old son have died after a house fire in Rochester.

Authorities identified the victims as Barbara Ruth Thoreson and her son, Matthew Thoreson.

The Rochester Fire Department says crews were called to the house after 8 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of smoke coming from the home. Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke.

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Barbara Thoreson was found in the living room. She was pulled from the house but efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Matthew Thoreson was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Authorities said Sunday that he did not survive.

Deputy Chief Vance Swisher says that the injuries appeared to be from fire and smoke.

Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause.