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An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of a devastating fire in Cicero that claimed the lives of an elderly couple on Saturday (June 14). The blaze broke out at a home on Crockett Drive around 6:45 p.m., where heavy smoke and flames were visible from the garage and spreading into the house.
The victims, an 81-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman, were found inside the home. According to Cicero Fire Chief Jim Perrin, the man was located near the entrance to the kitchen and garage, while the woman was found near the front door. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their 24-year-old blind grandson managed to escape the fire by feeling the walls and detecting temperature changes. He exited through the backdoor and was assisted by neighbors until emergency responders arrived. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Two firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries while battling the blaze but have since been released from the hospital and are recovering. The fire department expressed gratitude to the local community for providing water and supplies to support first responders during the incident.
Authorities, including 14 responding agencies, are actively working to uncover the cause of the fire, which took about 45 minutes to extinguish. The investigation remains a priority as the community mourns the loss of the couple.