Sad News
Last night at 11:40 PM, my brother's friend's house burned down... I feel sorry for them.. This is directly from the Chicago Tribune website:
Aurora fire kills woman, family escapes
By Dan P. Blake
Tribune staff reporter
February 9, 2007, 3:03 PM CST
An Aurora woman died after she became trapped in her burning home late Thursday night, authorities said.
Firefighters responded just after 11:40 p.m. to the 3000 block of Long Grove Lane on the city's far East Side and found the single-family home ablaze, said Aurora Fire Department Asst. Chief John Lehman.
Three family members who were able to safely exit the home immediately told firefighters about the woman who was trapped in a rear bedroom, he said. In three minutes, firefighters located the woman and removed her from the home. An ambulance rushed her to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, but she succumbed to her injuries, Lehman said.
The Kane County Coroner's office identified the woman as Sherry Norman, 50. She was pronounced dead at 11:57 p.m. at Rush-Copley Medical Center. Her preliminary cause of death is pending toxicology studies.
Lehman believed she was the children's mother but authorities could not provide any more background on the family today.
"We don't know where (the fire) started but when the fire department got there it was very well-involved. Fire was showing from every window in the front of the house," the chief said.
The house sustained extensive damage, estimated at about $200,000. An firefighter also suffered a minor burn injury to the ear while battling the blaze.
Lehman said the home had working smoke detectors, which are believed to be the reason the other family members were able to escape. Initially, it appears flames trapped the victim in the back bedroom, he said. The family dog also perished in the blaze.
The Aurora Fire Department will conduct an investigation along with the suburb's police department, the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force and Illinois State fire marshal's office.
Tribune staff reporter Angela Rozas contributed.
dpblake@tribune.com
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune