On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at approximately 6:18 a.m., the Lombard Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire on the 100 block of West North Avenue. A neighbor called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the house.
The first Fire Department crews arrived at 6:21 a.m. and found smoke coming from the roof and eaves of the house. Upon entering the house, a small fire was found in the kitchen and quickly extinguished. While searching the house, the resident and a dog were found deceased in the basement. Crews remained on the scene for approximately one hour, performing overhaul and extinguishing hot spots.
“This is a devastating tragedy, and our hearts go out to the friends and family of the victim,” said Deputy Fire Chief Ray Kickert.
The fire is under investigation by the Lombard Fire Investigations Unit, DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force and the Lombard Police Department. The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the house, which was deemed uninhabitable.
The Lombard Fire Department was assisted by the Elmhurst and Villa Park Fire Departments, as well as the Addison and York Center Fire Protection Districts. The Lombard Police assisted with traffic and crowd control.
Please contact Deputy Chief Ray Kickert with any questions at (630) 620-5736.