Victims Identified In Oak Lawn Basement Fire: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — Two men are dead after a Tuesday evening fire in Oak Lawn, officials told Patch.

They were identified as Joseph Derencius and Edward Derencius by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Both were noted to be in their 60s. The cause of death is pending for both men.

Oak Lawn Chief Michael McMillin told Patch that a small fire broke out in the basement of a home in the 9700 block of Kenneth Avenue. Oak Lawn police and fire responded to the blaze.

Oak Lawn Police Division Chief Patrick Curran said an initial investigation revealed the deaths appear to be accidental, and the two people died of smoke inhalation.

The deaths are being investigated by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.