Aurora man dies in house fire

Fire broke out in an Aurora home Sunday morning, killing an elderly man and sending a woman to the hospital.

Two people were sleeping in the home at 1569 Lincolnshire Ave. were awakened by smoke at about 7 a.m. Sunday and called 911, according to Fire Marshal Gary Pozzi.

He said the smoke detector was not working as the batteries had not been replaced.

Barbara Williams, 59, made it out of the house but Philbert Ward, 78, stayed behind looking for a pail to fight the fire and was overcome by smoke, Pozzi said.

Firefighters found Ward face down and not breathing in one of the bedrooms. He was transported to Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, where he was stabilized, then transported to Loyola University Medical Center where he died, officials from the Cook County Medical Examiners Office said.

Williams also was transported to Provena Mercy Medical Center and treated for smoke inhalation.

Pozzi said at least five cats also died in the fire.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined but Pozzi said it does not appear to be suspicious. He estimates about $125,000 in damage.