THREE ADULT FEMALE VICTIMS FOUND DEAD INSIDE BURNING HOUSE
Three victims that died in a house fire at 311 South Dunton Avenue have been identified as Doris Miller, 93, who lived at the home on Dunton Avenue, just south of South Street; Tetiana Krych, 62, also of the Dunton address; and Svitlana Kandelis, 40, of the 1500 block of Tahoe Circle in Wheeling, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office in Chicago.
Damage showing the roof burned through at the southeast corner of the home at the fatal fire scene at 311 South Dunton Avenue.
On November 6, 2013, at approximately 3:15 a.m. an Arlington Heights Police Sergeant detected an odor of smoke near Arlington Hts. Road and Sigwalt Street. He alerted other officers who searched for the source of the smoke. Officers in three patrol cars concentrated their effort just south of the Arlington Heights Police Department Headquarters near Arlington Heights Road and Sigwalt Street. Winds were strong from the south, and with a thick smell of smoke in the air, police found fire and heavy smoke coming from the house at 311 S. Dunton Ave.
The Arlington Heights Fire Department (AHFD) responded to the scene, immediately applied water streams to the fire and during an exterior check of the home, located a victim in a downstairs bedroom. The AHFD removed one of the victims who was unconscious and unresponsive from the home through a bedroom window on the north side of the house. This female victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Firefighters also protected homes on either side of the house from catching on fire — especially the south exposure.
The AHFD continued fighting the fire and when conditions allowed, made entry into the residence to search for additional occupants. Two other victims were located within the residence. Both were unconscious, unresponsive and were also pronounced deceased at the scene.
No smoke detectors were sounding on the arrival of the police officers. It is unknown at this time if any smoke detectors were present within the house; that information will be forthcoming as part of the investigation.
There is extensive fire and smoke damage to the home — especially at the rear of the house. No exact damage cost estimate is available at this time.
The presence of the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) Crime Scene Command Van does not mean that a crime is confirmed, but does mean that all possibilities are being investigated by police.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The positive identification and autopsiies were conucted by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
There were no firefighters or police officers or others injured during the fatal fire incident.
House Fire Defensive Operations on South Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights.
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