By Kim Smith
Chicago Sun Times
Copyright 2006 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
As fire ripped through their far southwest suburban home early Tuesday morning, a family lost three generations of women.
A 55-year-old grandmother, her daughter, 32, and 11-year-old granddaughter were killed in the blaze at 1901 Bruning Dr. in Wesley Township
Relatives had not positively identified the victims as of Tuesday night, Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil said.
A loud, popping noise jolted their neighbor, Charles Janulis Jr., from sleep around 5:30 a.m. He saw a big ball of flame shooting out of his neighbor’s home.
“Everyone was screaming,” Janulis said. “I yelled at my family to get out of the house and ran outside.”
SIX TAKEN TO HOSPITALS
Janulis ran to the home and broke out a bedroom window, trying to pull someone out until heat pushed him back.
“It was just too hot,” Janulis said. “All we could do is sit there and watch and pray.”
Firefighters were called to the rural Lakewood Shores subdivision at 5:24 a.m. after receiving several 911 calls.
“When we arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames,” said Wilmington Fire Chief Tim Zlomie Jr. “We found that there were three people trapped inside and six who were out that were transported to area hospitals.”
Will County sheriff’s spokesman Pat Barry said the six suffered smoke inhalation.
Four victims were taken to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet and two were taken to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. None of the injuries was life-threatening.
DOES NOT APPEAR SUSPICIOUS
The family moved into Wesley Township from Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., neighbors said.
Owners of the home are listed as Jessica and Beverlee Soval. The 32-year-old and 11-year-old victims are believed to be relatives in from Missouri.
The cause is under investigation and did not appear suspicious, fire officials said.
While officials said the fire was extinguished around 7 a.m., smoke was seen coming out of the roof five hours later.
Janulis described the family as great neighbors. He said the family owns and operates All Star DJ Service.
Autopsies are scheduled for this morning.