Naperville Firefighters Respond to Deadly House FIre Thursday

An elderly woman died in a house fire Thursday morning, while her husband appeared to have escaped the blaze, according to reports.

The responded shortly before 9:30 a.m. to an activated fire alarm at the two-story house in the 200 block of James Lane, where an elderly couple lived. The wood-frame home was deemed uninhabitable by firefighters and crews were still on the scene late Thursday afternoon. Damage to the structure is estimated to be in excess of $400,000, according to a fire department news release that was sent around 5:30 p.m.

Scott Whitsitt, a neighbor who lives next door to the pair, said he had gone outside to smoke a cigarette when he heard the windows of the home begin to break and saw smoke. Whitsitt said he called 911 immediately—Naperville dispatchers recorded that the call came in at 9:21 a.m. The first firefighters were on scene at 9:25 a.m., said the release, and they were told a resident was still inside the home.

"The first arriving unit reported heavy flames coming from the rear of the home with heavy smoke throughout," according to the release. "While advancing a hose line to extinguish the fire, the crews immediately began a search for the reported occupant. Additional arriving fire units expanded the search and fire attack. All companies experienced heavy smoke, high heat and found extensive fire damage to the structure of the building."

Whitsitt said he spoke with his neighbor—who was outside the home when first responders arrived—who told him that his wife did not make it out safely. The man was taken to Edward Hospital and was flown from there to the Loyola University Medical Center for burn treatment, stated the release. His wife died in the fire and was found in the first floor family room.

Whitsitt has lived in his home for about 22 years and said the couple had lived in their home since before he moved in, although he wasn’t sure whether they were the original owners.

The fire appeared to have started on the first floor, Whitsitt said. Smoke was pouring out the lower level windows.

“It had to be going a while,” he said.

Whitsitt said he would often say hello to his neighbor while he was mowing the lawn. More recently, it seemed others had taken over the duty for the man, who Whitsitt believed is in his 80s.

A total of 33 firefighters responded to the scene. Bolingbrook, Warrenville, Downers Grove, Plainfield, Lisle and Woodridge fire departments assisted and also provided coverage at Naperville fire stations. Other city of departments helped too.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal is aiding the Naperville Fire and Police Investigation team in determining the cause and origin of the fire.