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Firefighter Critically Injured at Scene Died En Route to Hospital
Chicago Tribune via YellowBrix
March 31, 2010
CHICAGO – One of two Homewood firefighters critically injured Tuesday night in a ferocious house fire that claimed the life of an elderly man has died, authorities said this morning.
The firefighter was identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office as 28-year-old Brian Carey of Evergreen Park.
The Homewood homeowner killed in the blaze was identified as Wendell Elias, 84.
A female firefighter at University of Chicago Hospitals remained in critical condition with extensive burns.
Homewood officials scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. This morning, a flag was flying at half staff above the Homewood Police Department.
Fire crews from several suburban fire departments were called to the extra-alarm fire in the 17600 block of South Lincoln Avenue in the village’s Governor’s Park subdivision.
Firefighters rescued Elias, who used a wheelchair, from his home on their second attempt. They attempted to resuscitate him on his front lawn, but he died from his injuries, Homewood Police Sgt. Bernie Hogancamp said.
The 87-year-old man’s wife was able to escape the fire and was also taken to a hospital.
Authorities said the blaze may have been fueled by oxygen tanks inside the home that were used by the homeowner.
Carey, the firefighter, was declared dead at 10:03 p.m. at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, but that information was not made available until this morning.
