Authorities identify 72-year-old woman killed in West Side fire

A woman killed in a fire at her Humboldt Park neighborhood apartment early Wednesday on the West Side has been identified as 72-year-old Fannie Mae Thomas.

A man in his 70s was also critically injured in the blaze that started shortly before 1 a.m. in the 1000 block of North Hamlin, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Thomas was taken to Norwegian American Hospital, where she later died, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The man was taken to the same hospital in critical condition.

An autopsy found Thomas died of smoke inhalation and ruled her death an accident. She lived in the unit where the fire broke out, authorities said.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene of the fire to assist seven people who were displaced.

Several smoke detectors were found in the home, but none of them were working, according to CFD spokesman Larry Langford. The cause is still under investigation.