102717 Fatal Fire (MA)

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One firefighter was also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries but was treated and released, the release said. DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks said the firefighter was injured trying to carry the victim out of the unit.<br />
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The cause of the fire, which caused about $100,000 in damage, is still under investigation. But it had originated from and was contained within the kitchen, the release said. The building was ventilated of smoke and dangerous gases, but no other apartments were affected by the fire, the release added.<br />
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Hicks said the most recent structure fire that resulted in a fire-related death was in October 2011. That fire, which occurred at University Village Apartments, claimed the life of 34-year-old Steven D. Thompson.
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One firefighter was also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries but was treated and released, the release said. DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks said the firefighter was injured trying to carry the victim out of the unit.

The cause of the fire, which caused about $100,000 in damage, is still under investigation. But it had originated from and was contained within the kitchen, the release said. The building was ventilated of smoke and dangerous gases, but no other apartments were affected by the fire, the release added.

Hicks said the most recent structure fire that resulted in a fire-related death was in October 2011. That fire, which occurred at University Village Apartments, claimed the life of 34-year-old Steven D. Thompson.

  • One firefighter was also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries but was treated and released, the release said. DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks said the firefighter was injured trying to carry the victim out of the unit.<br />
<br />
The cause of the fire, which caused about $100,000 in damage, is still under investigation. But it had originated from and was contained within the kitchen, the release said. The building was ventilated of smoke and dangerous gases, but no other apartments were affected by the fire, the release added.<br />
<br />
Hicks said the most recent structure fire that resulted in a fire-related death was in October 2011. That fire, which occurred at University Village Apartments, claimed the life of 34-year-old Steven D. Thompson.
  • Photos by Drew Zimmerman – dzimmerman@shawmedia.com<br />
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The DeKalb Fire Department responded about 6:30 a.m. and saw heavy smoke and fire coming for a one-bedroom unit in apartment 215 once they got into the building, according to a press release from the department.<br />
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The fire was put out within 15 minutes, but firefighters found an unresponsive victim in the bedroom. DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said the victim, identified as 30-year-old Ceasar Collins, was taken to Kishwaukee Hospital and was pronounced dead about an hour later. Family was notified, Miller added.
  • Photos by Drew Zimmerman – dzimmerman@shawmedia.com<br />
<br />
The DeKalb Fire Department responded about 6:30 a.m. and saw heavy smoke and fire coming for a one-bedroom unit in apartment 215 once they got into the building, according to a press release from the department.<br />
<br />
The fire was put out within 15 minutes, but firefighters found an unresponsive victim in the bedroom. DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said the victim, identified as 30-year-old Ceasar Collins, was taken to Kishwaukee Hospital and was pronounced dead about an hour later. Family was notified, Miller added.
  • Assisting agencies included fire departments from Maple Park, Malta, Sycamore, Shabbona, and Cortland, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, DeKalb Police, the American Red Cross, the DeKalb County Coroner, ComEd and NiCor.<br />
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Fire and police officials remained at the scene for about four hours. The DeKalb police and fire departments, as well as the county coroner's office, continue to investigate the incident.<br />
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This story will be updated.
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