The coroner has identified a 54-year-old man who died after a fifth-alarm fire ravaged an apartment building in Woodstock, leaving four others injured and displacing dozens of residents.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded around 10:13 p.m. Tuesday to the 700 block of St. Johns Road in Woodstock for a report of a structure fire.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said multiple 911 calls were received reporting heavy flames and occupants trapped in the building.
Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find heavy fire showing from the two-story apartment complex.
A request for additional resources was made through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), which ultimately went to the fifth alarm to support firefighting and station coverage efforts, Vucha said.
Firefighters initiated interior and exterior attacks on the fire, which had spread rapidly to the attic and traveled the length of the building.
Two tower ladders were deployed to extinguish the fire from above, Vucha said.
Firefighters performed several rescues during the early stages of the incident — physically removing residents in need from the building.
The fire was declared under control around midnight and fire crews remained on the scene throughout the night to address hotspots and ensure the area was safe.
12 of the 24 units in the building sustained significant damage, Vucha said. Over 30 people were displaced.
The American Red Cross is assisting affected residents with temporary relocation and essential living needs.
An adult female and a baby were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and initially declined transport to the hospital. They were later transported to the hospital.
Three others were also transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries.
Vucha said among those three transported, an adult male suffered critical, life-threatening injuries.
He was initially expected to be airlifted to the hospital but was instead transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified the victim as Douglas Webster, 54, of Woodstock.
Webster lived in one of the apartments in the building that was engulfed in the fire, Rein said.
Another victim hospitalized, also an adult, remains in critical condition. The final person hospitalized suffered injuries unrelated to the fire.
No firefighter injuries were reported.
“The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District extends its gratitude to the 20+ neighboring fire departments, the Woodstock Police Department, and our dispatchers. Their efforts were instrumental in managing the response and ensuring safety throughout the incident,” Vucha said.
A temporary relocation center was established at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 401 St. Johns Road in Woodstock to assist displaced residents.
“Residents in need of support are encouraged to visit the center for assistance and resources. Thank you to St. John’s Church and the American Red Cross for assisting during this difficult time,” Vucha said.
Vucha said in an update Wednesday afternoon that a preliminary investigation shows the fire began in a first-floor apartment.
The building lacked both a sprinkler and a central smoke alarm system, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the two-story apartment complex.
The fire, which resulted in over $1.5 million in damage, is not believed to be suspicious in nature, Vucha said.
Firefighters remained at the scene assisting residents in retrieving belongings and addressing safety concerns on Wednesday.
Firefighters discovered three cats, which were alive, in the rubble of a second-floor unit while back at the scene Wednesday.
“Their rescue was a humbling moment amidst the devastation and loss caused by the fire,” fire officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, Woodstock Police Department and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.