Woman, 53, Dies In Lemont House Fire: Coroner

LEMONT, IL — A 53-year-old woman has died after a house fire in Lemont on Wednesday night, according to the Will County Coroner's Office.

The woman was identified as Wendy Carnahan, according to the Will County Coroner's Office. She was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m. Wednesday at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, the coroner's office said.

The Lemont Fire Protection District responded at 9:06 p.m. Wednesday to a house fire with reports of trapped occupants, in the 1000 block of Blacksmith Lane. The fire district said the first unit arrived in just over three minutes and found a fire in the basement of a one-story home.

Firefighters confirmed there was still one person in the home, and one person had exited the home before the fire district arrived, according to a release.

Crews began "an aggressive fire attack" and a search for occupants of the home. During the search, firefighters found and removed one person from the home, the district said.

Both occupants of the home were taken to the hospital, and one died as a result of the fire, the district said.

The fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes, the district said. Crews continued to move debris, check void spaces for hidden fire, and ventilate smoke and toxic gases for some time after that.

The home is uninhabitable due to significant smoke and fire damage, fire officials said. The fire remains under investigation by the MABAS 19 Fire Investigators and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The incident was upgraded to a full still alarm, bringing 28 firefighters to the scene, staffing five engines, two ladder trucks, two ambulances and other command officers, according to the District. Nine surrounding fire agencies assisted with this emergency, providing support and fire station coverage.