Woman, 21, dies in apartment fire in northwestern Illinois

STOCKTON, Ill. (AP) - A 21-year-old woman has died in an apartment fire in northwestern Illinois' Jo Daviess County.

The Stockton Police Department identifies the victim as Stephanie R. Brzezinski (breh-ZHIN'-skee).

Authorities say emergency crews that responded to the fire just after 5 a.m. Saturday were able to evacuate seven other people as smoke spread in the main street apartment building. All were treated and released.

But Police Chief LaDon Trost says in a statement that an officer who tried to enter Brzezinski's apartment was forced back by heat and smoke. The statement says the fire originated in the woman's apartment, but it gave no cause.

Authorities say the fire remains under investigation.

Stockton is about 45 miles east of Dubuque, Iowa.