At 11:33PM on Thursday night, Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point received the first of two 911 calls from residents at 108 Douglas reporting smoke and fire in the apartment building. A general alarm assignment was dispatched, bringing a total of 2 trucks, 3 engines, a heavy rescue squad and 2 ambulances to the scene along with 2 command vehicles. The first fire unit arrived on the scene within 4 minutes and found a moderate amount of smoke coming out of the second floor window of a three story apartment building.
Crews began an aggressive fire attack and initiated a search of the apartment building for occupants. A victim was found in a second floor apartment unit where the fire originated. The unconscious and unresponsive victim was removed from the building and was carried to an ambulance staged outside. Resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at Edward Hospital. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes. Crews completed the search, performed ventilation and checked for fire extension. There was fire and smoke damage on the building’s second and third floors with extension into the attic.
The damage to the building is estimated to be approximately $100,000.00. An inspector from Naperville’s Transportation, Engineering and Development (TED) deemed two apartment units uninhabitable until repairs could be made. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Naperville Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Naperville Police Department, Naperville’s Emergency Management Agency, the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Several surrounding fire departments provided coverage at Naperville’s fire stations during this incident. While providing this stand-by coverage, Lisle-Woodridge and Wheaton fire units responded to two emergency incidents.
There were no firefighter injuries.
UPDATE March 23 / The victim has been identified as Cariene Jones, age 39. Jones lived with her son, Jelani McClain, a student at Naperville North High School. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Cause of fire apparently is unattended cooking.
