Nikodem Zaremba, 27, of Elmwood Park, (inset) died Monday evening after dozens of firefighters responded to help rescue him after he became trapped in a hole in the ground in front of a residence in the 1000 block of Aspen Drive in Buffalo Grove. | Background Photo: Max Weingardt

OSHA has opened a formal investigation after a plumber died when the trench he was working in collapsed at a Buffalo Grove home Monday evening.

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department and Buffalo Grove Police Department responded around 5:29 p.m. Monday to the 1000 block of Aspen Drive in Buffalo Grove for a rescue call.

Village officials said a person was reported trapped in a hole in the front yard of a residence.

It was reported that the victim was buried in the hole and not breathing.

Dozens of firefighters respond to help rescue a man who became trapped in a hole in front of a residence in the 1000 block of Aspen Drive in Buffalo Grove Monday. | Photo: Max Weingardt

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spokesman Scott Allen told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that an excavation was being performed at the time.

A company, Rooter Solutions, Inc., was contracted to perform sewer repair work at the residence.

The village confirmed they issued a sewer repair permit to Rooter Solutions for the property on November 29.

[Suggested Article]  Huntley man dies after pickup truck drives into oncoming traffic, hits his car in Kane County

Allen said the owner of the company and two employees were working at the site of the excavation, which was approximately 13 feet long by nine feet wide and eight feet deep.

There appeared to be no cave-in protection in the excavation while they were performing the work, Allen said.

Dozens of firefighters respond to help rescue a man who became trapped in a hole in front of a residence in the 1000 block of Aspen Drive in Buffalo Grove Monday. | Photo: Max Weingardt

Firefighters arrived and confirmed the worker was trapped in the hole and the alarm was upgraded to bring an expanded technical rescue response to the scene.

A total of 17 fire departments and 62 rescue personnel responded to the incident.

Technical rescue specialists “worked feverishly” to uncover and remove the victim from the collapse, village officials said.

The male worker was removed at 6:35 p.m. and transported by ambulance to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the worker as Nikodem Zaremba, 27, of Elmwood Park.

[Suggested Article]  McHenry County Board passes resolution opposing Illinois' 'assault weapons' and high-capacity magazine ban
Dozens of firefighters respond to help rescue a man who became trapped in a hole in front of a residence in the 1000 block of Aspen Drive in Buffalo Grove Monday. | Photo: Max Weingardt

Zaremba was pronounced dead around 7:20 p.m. Monday at the hospital. State records show Zaremba was an apprentice plumber.

Allen said Rooter Solutions, Inc. was legally created in August 2022 and has no OSHA history.

OSHA has opened a formal investigation and further information will not be released until the investigation is complete, which could take up to six months.

“On behalf of the Fire Department and the entire Village of Buffalo Grove, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Zarembra,” Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker said.

“I also wish to thank the 17 area departments that provided mutual aid in this technical rescue effort,” Baker added.