A 90-year-old woman who lived alone is believed to be the victim of a fire inside her Bensenville-area home Friday morning, authorities said.
The woman’s son, who lives in Roselle, checked on her every morning and afternoon. He found black smoke when he opened the back door after arriving at the home in the 4N300 block of Church Road at 8:45 a.m., said Bensenville Fire Protection District Chief Michael Spain.
More Top Picks Best Clothes Iron
The son was unable to enter due to heat and smoke, so he went to the front door, which also was blocked, Spain said.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, which had considerable fire damage. Neither foul play nor arson is suspected, he said.
Though the incident is still under investigation, Spain said the fire in the 1940s brick home may have burned itself nearly out when the opened doors fueled the oxygen to start it up again. When firefighters arrived, it took 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze, he said.
An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, Spain said.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter.