According to a report from WGN9, an 83-year-old grandmother has died and two Hanover Park (IL) Fire Department (HPFD) members were injured in a house fire that erupted in the town at around 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The firefighters are expected to fully recover.
The victim was identified as Jovencia Valencia.
According to HPFD officials, the fire happened in the 7300 block of Thornwood Street. On arrivals, HPFD crews found heavy fire coming from a rear bedroom.
Two neighbors, Esther Corredor and Victor Sanchez, who live along Thornwood Street, helped two children escape the flames before HPFD crews arrived.
HPFD Chief Eric Fors said it is unclear what started the flames or how Valencia died, and an investigation is now being conducted by fire and police officials.
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