Couple Killed in House Fire Identified

JOLIET, IL — The couple killed when their far west side home caught fire Saturday night have been identified.

Brone Zukiene, 60, and her 61-year-old husband, Rimantas Zukas, both succumbed to smoke and soot inhalation, an autopsy performed Monday showed.

Zukas was pronounced dead inside his Sun Valley Court home after he was found by firefighters. Zukiene died at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center.

Besides the body of the dead man and the mortally injured woman, firefighters discovered numerous candles in the burned house, according to police. Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said the blaze appeared to have been accidentally sparked by one of the candles.

A person living in the basement of the house smelled smoke about 10:30 p.m. Saturday and escaped from the burning residence through a window, Benton said. After he got out of the house, the resident called the fire department.