By Deanese Williams-Harris
Chicago Tribune
CICERO, Ill. — Two people were reported deceased following a fire that broke out at a home Wednesday morning in west suburban Cicero, officials said.
At about 5:15 a.m., firefighters were called to the scene of a home on fire at 5054 W. 29th Street. Soon after a second call came in to the dispatch center saying the entire second floor was engulfed in flames, according to a Cicero Fire Department news release.
During the second call, Cicero Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Lyttek was driving over the Laramie bridge and saw heavy smoke and requested additional firefighting trucks to the scene, the release said. Once he arrived at the fire, he called a box alarm which activated another six pieces of fire apparatus from nearby towns. Crews from Berwyn, Oak Park, Stickney, North Riverside, Forest Park and River Forest were deployed to the scene.
Working with mutual aid partners
Crews rescued a woman after throwing a ground ladder to a second-floor window where she was rescued safely. A man made it out safely with one of his sons, but another one of his sons and his wife did not make it out, the release said.
Firefighters transitioned efforts to defensive once crews were unable to enter the fully engulfed structure after the first rescue. The structure to the east of the home caught fire but was determined vacant. At one point, two wooden frame constructions were on fire at the same time, the release said.
The Illinois Fire Marshal and the Cook County Medical Examiner are investigating the scene with the Cicero Fire Department Fire investigators.
Three family dogs also made it out safe. Survivors of the morning blaze have gone to stay with a family member in Berwyn.
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