Hoquiam-Area Fire Kills 2 Young Boys, Mother, Grandmother

HOQUIAM - A fire that apparently started in a wood stove or chimney engulfed a home early yesterday, killing two young boys and their mother and grandmother.

The victims were identified as Patricia McDonnell, 66, Patricia Rodriguez, 34, Joshua Rodriguez, 6, and Matthew Rodriguez, 8.

A man in a passing log truck noticed the blaze about 4:45 a.m. and tried to alert the occupants by firing a rifle into the air, witnesses said.

Neighbors who heard the shots rushed out to try and get the family out of the burning house, located about five miles east of Hoquiam. They banged on doors and windows, but thick smoke and flames prevented them from entering.

"We knew they were in there, and we knew there wasn't anything we could do," said Ernie Shumate, who lived next door to the family for years.

Grays Harbor County sheriff's detectives said the blaze apparently started in a wood stove in the living room, where McDonnell was sleeping. Her daughter and grandsons were believed to be sleeping in two back bedrooms.