1 killed, 7 hurt in extra-alarm fire at Des Plaines condominium

A woman was killed and seven others were injured, including five firefighters, in an extra-alarm fire Sunday morning at a condominium in northwest suburban Des Plaines.

Firefighters responded at 7:42 a.m. to the blaze in the 9300 block of Landings Lane, according to the North Maine Fire Protection District and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Firefighters battling the blaze at its source on the sixth floor were eventually met with heavy fire conditions and had to back out of the building, the fire protection district said. Crews then fought the fire from the exterior of the building to allow firefighters to go back inside. During the response, firefighters were able to rescue two residents who were trapped on their balconies.

Hilda Edelman, 85, was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and pronounced dead at 9:02 a.m., authorities said. A ruling on the cause and manner of her death was pending further investigation following an autopsy Monday. She lived in the same block as the fire.

Two other people were also taken to hospitals, the fire protection district said. They had been released by Monday afternoon.

In addition, five firefighters were rushed to hospitals after suffering heat exhaustion and minor injuries, the fire protection district said. One was held for overnight observation and the others were released.

All of the patients were taken to either Lutheran General or Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, fire officials said.

The condominium was ultimately deemed uninhabitable by the Cook County Building and Zoning Department, the fire protection district said. American Red Cross volunteers arrived on the scene to assist residents who were affected by the fire, which impacted about 35 units and several families.

A total of 55 adults and 13 children were displaced as a result of the fire, and their insurance companies will be providing shelter, according to fire officials.

Anyone who needs assistance should call the Chicago & Northern IL Red Cross at (312) 729-6258.