Firefighters and police officers rescued two victims, including one in critical condition, who were trapped in a basement fire in Zion Friday evening, officials said.
The Zion Fire and Rescue Department and Zion Police Department responded around 9:17 p.m. Friday to the 2300 block of Gideon Avenue in Zion for a report of a structure fire.
Zion Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Eric Troy said a 911 caller reported three people trapped in the basement of a home.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke from the rear of the house.
“The reports of numerous people trapped elevate the concern of fire personnel. Our number one goal is life safety,” Troy said.
The alarm was quickly upgraded to a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) box alarm for additional assistance.
Zion police officers rescued a woman out of a basement window. She was suffering from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters rescued a man who was in critical condition. The two victims were both transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
Primary and secondary searches revealed there was not a third occupant home at the time of the fire as initially believed, Troy said.
Fire crews attacked the fire with multiple hose lines in the basement of the home.
Fire damage was limited to the basement but heat and smoke damage occurred throughout the structure.
Troy said the female victim suffered minor injuries in the fire while the male victim suffered critical injuries.
A dog was also transported to an emergency veterinarian.
The fire is being investigated by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal in conjunction with local fire investigators.
Troy urged residents to have working smoke detectors. In this fire, one of the occupants was alerted to the working smoke detectors and was able to call 911, he said.
Fire damage was estimated to be approximately $65,000.