River Forest Fire Department and other area departments responded to a fatal fire in River Forest early Tuesday morning.
Around 12:45 a.m. on Oct. 13, fire crews noticed “thick black smoke and flames” coming from the North side of the basement and first floor of the townhome at 1430 N. Harlem Ave. where there were two residents at the time, according to a statement from Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner.
Police officers tried to go into the building but were unable to because of intense heat and smoke.
One resident jumped from the second story of the building to escape the fire, was treated and released on the scene. The other resident was “overcome by the intense heat and smoke from the fire” wrote Gaertner in the statement.
The statement also notes two families are displaced due to the fire.
Several neighboring departments helped suppress the fire and the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal was on the scene to assist in the investigation. More information will be available once the investigation is complete. The victim has not been identified at this time.
“Please send thoughts and prayers to the victim and their family, and please allow for privacy in this trying time,” wrote Gaertner.