Davenport in Scott County
John R. Green Jr., 3, and his 18-month-old brother, Mark R. Green, died from injuries sustained in a fire at their Davenport, Iowa home on Saturday, November 24, 1984.
The boys were in an upstairs bedroom at the 1512 Belle Avenue wood-frame house — their mother, 6-year-old sister and an aunt in a downstairs bedroom — when two explosions near the home’s front door set the house ablaze just past noon.
John and Mark Green resided at this 1512 Belle Avenue home in Davenport with their mother and 6-year-old sister.
(Courtesy Scott County Assessor’s Office)
The boys’ mother, Deborah “Tara” Green,and aunt screamed for the children to get out of the house, and although a 6-year-old daughter in the home’s kitchen safely exited through the back door, the boys’ mother was unable to get upstairs to rescue her two sons.
Davenport Police Sgt. Allen Sylvia entered the home through the back door and crawled through the kitchen toward the living room in attempts to rescue the boys. When it reached the point where Sylvia was “cooking,” Davenport firefighters pulled the heroic officer out by his ankles and treated him for smoke inhalation.
John Green Jr., who died of smoke inhalation, was pronounced dead at the scene. His little brother Mark passed away around 3:30 a.m. Sunday at University Hospitals in Iowa City.
According to the Davenport Fire Department District Chief Art Kenyon, the fire started in two places – just outside the front of the house and inside the front door – just after the explosion was heard, the Quad-City Times reported in an Feb. 12, 2018 follow-up case file report.
Kenyon said at the time that firefighters looked for a gasoline can while they cleared the debris but could not find one. Still, arson was suspected, reported the Quad-City Times.
Anyone with information about this unsolved double homicide is asked to contact the Davenport Police Department at (563) 326-6125 or leave an anonymous tip on the city’s mobile apps “CityConnect Davenport, IA” or CrimeReports by Motorola.”
There was someone else in that house just before the explosions… Cynthia, who was that?
Wondering didn’t anyone see somebody ? Mother or Aunt ? Very Sad for these little ones. Praying for Justices.
These were my brothers I want answers!
from your previous comments you believe you knew who it might be who did it. start there with answers, I wish you the best. I am so sorry for your loss.
I believe you have some of the answers! We all need closure! Someone should pay for taking your brother’s away from all of us. They were so little and so loved.
Unfortunately i am to afraid to say anything more. I believe it was an inside job….like family……i pray with all my heart and soul that I am wrong…..but ….well i can’t say more than that.
Cynthia how sad. I am so sorry. What do you think occurred and I am sorry for your horrible life.
Why are there no details from police of what they think may have occurred? Justice for these Babies is long overdue. At least neither of them will ever feel pain again. What a horrible, horrible crime.
These were my brothers and I have a pretty good idea what happened. Their death changed the course of my entire life and many others. I know they watch over me. They were spared. I would have traded places with them…..but not if that meant they had to endure the life I had.
I agree. I am the surviving sister…..their death changed the course of many lives. Thank you for your concern in this case being solved. I would like answers too…but then again I am a little worried about who it might be. Nothing will bring them back….hurts to say but maybe they are better off.
I appreciate your comment …urghhhh..life will never be the same….i try not to be bitter…i agree maybd tveyve been spared…..??????
Thank you