At Least 7 Dead in Chicago-area Fire
Issue date: 2/16/10 Section: News
CICERO, Ill., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Seven people, including a 3-day-old baby, were killed in a house fire in Cicero, Ill., Sunday, authorities said.
The other six victims ranged in age from 3 to 20, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. Sunday in a multifamily dwelling that may have housed as many as 25 people, authorities said.
Cicero town spokesman Ray Hanania said the fire burned in at least three buildings. Hanania said there was "no evidence to suggest arson" but the cause of the fire had not been determined last Sunday.
"We're looking into why this fire took place and what may have resulted in such a tragic loss of so many people in one building," he said.
Hanania said four or five families may have been living in the house and investigators would look into the possibility the building was over-occupied.
Surviving residents were taken to a shelter where they were given food and emergency care, a Red Cross spokeswoman said.
One firefighter was injured but the extent of injuries was not reported.
The other six victims ranged in age from 3 to 20, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. Sunday in a multifamily dwelling that may have housed as many as 25 people, authorities said.
Cicero town spokesman Ray Hanania said the fire burned in at least three buildings. Hanania said there was "no evidence to suggest arson" but the cause of the fire had not been determined last Sunday.
"We're looking into why this fire took place and what may have resulted in such a tragic loss of so many people in one building," he said.
Hanania said four or five families may have been living in the house and investigators would look into the possibility the building was over-occupied.
Surviving residents were taken to a shelter where they were given food and emergency care, a Red Cross spokeswoman said.
One firefighter was injured but the extent of injuries was not reported.
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