Elderly Man in Critical Condition After Trying to Rescue 2 Dogs from Burning Home

AURORA, IL — A 76-year-old man is in stable but critical condition after going into a burning house to rescue two dogs.

The Aurora Fire Department was called to the 1000 block of Iowa Avenue at 5:26 p.m. Nov. 20 for a house fire. According to the AFD, a 6-year-old girl noticed the fire and told her family. While everyone got out of the house, the 76-year-old man went back to rescue the family’s two dogs, but was overcome by smoke.

Upon arrival, fire crews entered the house to search for the man. He was found in a rear bedroom and crews passed him through the window to waiting firefighters and paramedics. He was taken to Loyola Medical Center where he is in stable, but critical condition.

The Aurora Fire Investigations team said that the probable cause was due to a candle that had been accidentally knocked over. Firefighters found the two dogs, but they did not survive.

Because the home was deemed uninhabitable, the Red Cross and Victim Services were called to help the victims of the fire. Total fire damage loss was approximately $75,000. It took 24 firefighters about an hour to fully extinguish the fire.

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