For the second time this month, there were multiple fatalities from an Oak Lawn house fire. MyFoxChicago.com has this report:
The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force helped local police conduct a criminal investigation Wednesday. Three people are dead after a house fire in Oak Lawn. Police said two bodies were found in the home in the 9800 block of 51st Avenue. A source familiar with the investigation reports another man fatally shot himself in a car in the garage as firefighters responded to the call.
The source said the fire was being investigated as arson. The source also said the individual inside the car was alive with the engine running when “an alert firefighter” arrived to investigate the blaze, but then shot himself moments later.
The fire began a few minutes after 5 a.m., according to Oak Lawn police Division Chief Michael Kaufmann. The victims were not discovered until later. Kaufmann did not reveal the identities, genders or ages of the deceased.
The fire was out as of 9 a.m., though firefighters were still cleaning up hot spots as of 10 a.m. Police officers, evidence technicians and vehicles from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office were also on scene.
Detectives said there is likely more evidence inside the home, but they will have some challenges getting to it. The roof and floor of the home collapsed in the blaze. Investigators sifted through the debris late Wednesday morning, wading through a basement filled with water.
“All indications and information being provided to the Oak Lawn Police Department would seem to point to an intentional setting and criminal conduct resulting in the death of at least two individuals,” Oak Lawn village manager Larry Deetjen said.
Fire officials said they do not know the cause of the blaze as of noon on Wednesday.
