Woman 'Severely Burned' During Fire That Hurt 2 Other Women, 2 Firefighters
Updated: 6/25/11 3:44 p.m.
AURORA, Ill. (STMW) - Three women, one of whom was severely burned, and two firefighters were injured during an early morning fire in Aurora Saturday.
The fire erupted at 3:56 a.m. inside of a third floor apartment at a 96-unit, 4-story apartment complex in the 900 block of 2nd Avenue, according to a according to a statement from Aurora police.
A 55-year-old woman, who lives in the apartment where the fire was contained, suffered severe burns and was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood after receiving initial treatment at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, the statement said.
She is being treated for third-degree burns to more than 15% of her body.
Two other women, ages 45 and 22, who live in nearby apartments, were treated at Rush-Copley for smoke inhalation and their injuries are non-life threatening, the statement said.
Firefighters found heavy smoke throughout the entire third floor when they arrived. They rescued three people from inside the building and seven from third floor windows, the statement said.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries when he was hit with a piece of equipment while fighting the fire and another was treated for heat exhaustion. They were both treated and released at Rush Copley Medical Center, the statement said.
Damage to the apartment building was estimated at $75,000.
A release from the American Red Cross said the fire happened at 905 2nd Ave. and more than 40 people needed their assistance with medications, food and clothing.
The Aurora Housing Authority is helping provide shelter to those displaced.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the police statement.
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