Archive for category Fatal fire

Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Mar 10

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Department News | 12 Comments

A fire in Des Plaines that killed four children and their mother in January likely started at least seven minutes before anyone called 911. Firefighters were challenged by a rapidly evolving scene that included more victims than initially expected and fire blocking the only stairwell to the family’s apartment, according to a 43-page report released Tuesday by the Des Plaines Fire Department that provides a timeline and video of the city’s response to the blaze at 714 W. Oakton St.

The cause of the Jan. 27 fire remains undetermined, but the report said the blaze began at the top of the only stairwell leading to the second-floor apartment where the family was found. A space heater and extension cord were found in the area. The apartment had a second exit — a small balcony — but it didn’t have stairs to the ground level, the report states.

According to a timeline of events, surveillance video shows a bright flash of light in the second-floor window at 10:03 a.m., indicting a possible fire. It wasn’t until 10:10 a.m. that a 911 call was received, and it took another two minutes until the caller could provide an address.

A Des Plaines police officer was the first to arrive, at 10:16 a.m., and survey the building and help remove two people safely from the building. An ambulance arrived at 10:17 a.m., and the first fire engine arrived at 10:19 a.m.

Firefighters, hearing that two children may be trapped on the second floor, encountered significant smoke and fire, and knocked down flames with a hose, the report states. Within seconds, crews found the first victim in a bedroom and four others in another room.

The fatalities were Cythaly Zamodio, 25, and her daughters: Grace Espinosa, 1; Allizon V. Espinosa, 3; Genesis A. Espinosa, 5; and Renata P. Espinosa, 6. At the time, a neighbor said their father was work during the fire.

The report states that the department’s response to the fire satisfied standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“Firefighters made a valiant effort to give those trapped a chance to survive by locating them and removing them from the hazardous conditions,” the report states. “The efforts of all those involved are to be commended.”

Tags: 5 dead after Des Plaines house fire, chicagoareafire.com, Chicagoareafire.com/blog, Des Plaines Fire Department, fatal fire in Des Plaines, four young children and one adult perish in house fire, op-ed from the Journal Topics about Des Plaines Fire Department staffing

Double fatal fire in Chicago, 2-28-21

Mar 1

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Department News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

A 10-year-old girl and her mother are dead after an early morning house fire in the 8600-block of South Hermitage in Gresham Sunday. Relatives identified the victims as Ieashia Ford and her 10-year-old daughter Porsche. The pair were sleeping when someone set the house on fire, according to the family.

Four others were also hospitalized in the aftermath, including the mother’s boyfriend and two cousins. All of them are expected to recover from their injuries as both the fire and police departments continue to investigate the cause of a fire that family members believe was anything but accidental. Chicago firefighters worked to save the six people inside, but only four made it out.

Mixed in with the shock, however, is concern that the fire may have been intentionally set, taking place hours after an argument between the mother and an acquaintance relatives said had been harassing her. “He was sending her text messages and threatening her,” said family member Felicia White. “That he was going to set her house on fire.”

While an arson unit was on the scene Sunday morning in the hours following the fire, investigators at this point, are refusing to elaborate and still call the incident a death and fire investigation.

From CFD Media on Twitter:

8624 s Hermitage. Working fire with 6 transports EMS plan 1. Two of the victims extremely critical to Little Company of Mary. All adults. No smoke detectors heard

CFD Media photo

Update: Sadly we update the EMS report from 8624 Hermitage. The critical transports to Little Company of Mary are now deceased. We do not have ages yet, one may be younger than first thought. (Langford)

Update: one of the victims from 8624 Hermitage is identified as a girl about 12 years old . The other victim is an adult.

Update:Hermitage fire. The 4 adults taken to Christ Medical center are expected to recover. The two patients taken to Little Company of Mary have died. Both are females one about 12 the other in her 30’s. No cause on the fire yet. OFI is on the scene.

CFD Media photo

Fire safety team will work the area of 8624 Hermitage with detectors and information at 10 am today.

Crews passing out smoke detectors & safety information near the fatal fire on 86th and Hermitage. Please check the batteries on your smoke detectors because the extra time they provide in a fire is invaluable. (4-1-10)

CFD Media photo

Special Agent Mitch Kushner, veteran Zoe, and new recruit GG from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting the investigation of the fatal on 86th & Hermitage to determine cause and origin. (4-1-10)

Tags: Chicago Fire Department, double fatal fire in Chicago, fatal fire in Chicago, Ieashia Ford, Porsche Ford, Special Agent Mitch Kushner, State Fire Marshal's Office, two die in Chicago house fire

Fatal fire in Sycamore, 2-26-21

Feb 28

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Department News | Comments off

From Sycamore Fire Department. @sycamoreilfire:

This is the Sycamore Fire Department Press Release for the structure fire 2/26/21

On Friday, February 26, 2021 at approximately 2143 hours, the Sycamore Fire Department was dispatched to 942 Arvle Circle for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, the Fire Department found a four unit townhome complex with heavy smoke showing and an active fire in the 942 Arvle Circle 2nd story unit. As the first responding engine company was advancing a 1 ¾” handline into the interior of the structure, they encountered the occupant in the stairwell. The engine company crew along with local police officers were able to rescue the male occupant and remove him to the outside, where he was treated for his injuries and quickly transported to the hospital. A second engine company stretched a 1 ¾” handline to the rear of the structure to counter a rapidly advancing fire. Once the first engine crew passed the care of the patient to the ambulance crew, they completed stretching the 1 ¾” hand line up the stairwell and into the fire unit and were able to mount an aggressive interior fire attack which allowed the transition from a short-term exterior attack and the fire was quickly controlled. A primary and secondary search for any additional occupants was conducted in the affected units. After the fire was extinguished, the fire unit and adjoining units were ventilated from smoke, and salvage and overhaul operations were conducted.
The fire alarm went to the General Alarm level and assistance was received from several neighboring fire departments including DeKalb, Elburn, Cortland, Genoa-Kingston, Malta and Pingree Grove along with help from the Office of the State Fire Marshall.
The Sycamore Police Department, Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, ComEd and Nicor also assisted at the scene.

The unit of the fire origin suffered significant heat, flame, and smoke damage. The adjoining unit suffered smoke and water damage. The damage is estimated at $300,000 to the structure $75,000 for contents in the townhomes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

One resident suffered significant burns and was initially transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and was then transferred to OSF St. Anthony Burn Center in Rockford. There were no injuries to firefighters.

thanks Art

Tags: fatal fire in Sycamore IL, Sycamore Fire Department Press Release

Fatal fire in Hazel Crest, 2-24-21

Feb 25

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire | Comments off

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

Hazel Crest firefighters arrived about 4 a.m. Wednesday at a house fire in the 3400 block of Hickory Lane and found two people unconscious inside. The victims were pulled from the fire, while a third person had escaped on their own. They were all taken to hospitals, where a 44-year-old man, identified as Michael Burrage, was pronounced dead.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal was investigating the cause of the fire.

Tags: fatal fire in Hazel Crest, Hazel Crest Fire Department, Michael Burrage

Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Feb 17

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Department History | 2 Comments

From the Journal-topics.com:

click to download

A previous post is HERE

2-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 2-8-21 (more)

Feb 8

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | Comments off

More from the 2-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 2-8-21 by Tim Olk:

Chicago Fire Department fatal 2-11 Alarm fire at 8032 S Hermitage and 8028 S Hermitage

One person died in a 2-11 Alarm fire at 8032 S. Hermitage in Chicago 2-8-21

Tim Olk photo

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Tags: 2-11 alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Fire Media@CFDMedia, Chicago firefighters fight winter house fire, chicagoareafire.com, Chicagoareafire.com/blog, fatal fire in Chicago, fire scene photos, one person critically injured in house fire, Tim Olk

Fatal fire in Arlington Heights, 2-4-21 (more)

Feb 4

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Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

The Arlington Heights Fire Department responded at about 8:16 a.m. to the 1900-block of North Spruce Terrace after a report of a house fire. Firefighteres entered the home and found a 75-year-old man and his 72-year-old wife. They were transported to Northwest Community Hospital and both died shortly after arriving.

The fire was brought under control by 8:44 a.m. with help from neighboring fire departments.

The fire originated in the kitchen based on preliminary evidence. The state fire marshal is involved with the investigation to determine the cause.

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

An elderly couple died in a fatal house fire Thursday morning in Arlington Heights, the third deadly blaze in the northwest suburbs in recent weeks. Authorities identified the husband and wife as Lewis Smith, 75, and Joan Smith, 72, of the 1900 block Spruce Terrace.

They were found unresponsive in their home shortly after 8 a.m. and were transported to Northwest Community Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Firefighters arriving at the scene found flames coming from the roof and the windows blown out. Once inside the house, firefighters found the husband unconscious, near the top of the staircase, with his wife unconscious in a second floor bedroom. The couple was unresponsive and were unable to be revived at the scene.

A preliminary investigation found the fire likely started in the kitchen, and there were working smoke detectors in the home.

Tags: Arlington Heights Fire Department, chicagoareafire.com, Chicagoareafire.com/blog, fatal fire in Arlington Heights, Joan Smith, Lewis Smith, two die in Arlington Heights house fire

Fatal fire in Arlington Heights, 2-4-21

Feb 4

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fatal fire, Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | Comments off

Firefighters from Arlington Heights, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Mount Prospect were dispatched to 1929 N Spruce Terrace in Arlington Heights around 8:20AM on Thursday (2/4/21) for a reported house fire. While en route, companies were advised that two residents might be inside and that neighbors reported hoarder conditions within the home.

Flames were confirmed on arrival by Engine 2 who took a hydrant down the street followed by Palatine Engine 83 who setup in front of the house. The fire was in the rear of the house. Firefighters entered the house to search for the residents and found two adults. Both victims received medical attention before being loaded into ambulances.

The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes and companies then chased hot spots and smoldering fire found throughout the cluttered contents.

It was reported that neither of the occupants pulled from the house survived.

Larry Shapiro photo

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Tags: #larryshapiro, Arlington Heights FD Engine 2, Arlington Heights Fire Department, fatal house fire in Arlington Heights, Larry Shapiro, larryshapiro.tumblr.com, larryshapiroblog.com, Mount Prospect FD Tower 13, Palatine FD Engine 83, shapirophotography.net, two die in Arlington Heights house fire, winter house fire scene

Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Jan 30

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire, Fire Department News | 1 Comment

Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:

A space heater likely caused a fire that killed a mother and her four young children Wednesday in Des Plaines is the assessment of city fire officials, whose preliminary investigation shows the blaze started at the top of the stairs to a second-floor unit — the only exit from the unit where the family was found. The investigation is now focused on how the heater might have ignited the fire.

There were no working smoke detectors on the second floort. Initial findings don’t point to foul play.

Autopsies by the medical examiner’s office ruled the deaths an accident, saying they died of thermal and inhalation injuries from the fire.

Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Jan 27

Posted by Admin in Fatal fire | 12 Comments

Excerpts from the Chicagotribune.com:

Four children under the age of 6 and one adult died in Des Plaines Wednesday morning during a residential blaze. The dead include four girls, Renata Espinosa, 6; Genesis Espinosa; Allizon Espinosa, 3; Grace Espinosa, 1; and Citahaly Zamiodo, 25, the medical examiner’s office said.

Firefighters had heavy smoke coming from the second floor and they learned there were people still inside the 2-story, duplex-type apartment building. Although the more than 100-year-old frame building appears to be a single-family home from the outside, Cook County records say that it has four apartments. Crews immediately went into search and rescue, and fire suppression mode.

The children were pronounced dead at local hospitals, while the adult was pronounced on scene. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to a hospital.