Lombard, coroner officials tight-lipped about fatal fire

Lombard and DuPage County officials are remaining tight-lipped about the identity of an 86-year-old man who died after a fire Tuesday in a home on Collen Drive.

The coroner's office referred inquires to Lombard police, who did not respond to messages Wednesday afternoon.

"This is still an open investigation and therefore the name will not be released at this time," village spokeswoman Avis Meade said in an email.

Lombard Fire Chief Rick Sander and Bensenville Detective Mike Larson, who serves on the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force, would not comment on whether the blaze appears suspicious.

Police and firefighters were called about 12:15 a.m. to a report of the fire and possible victims trapped in the house on the 200 block of West Collen Drive.

Crews immediately started a search for victims and began extinguishing the blaze.

The man was found on the second floor and rushed to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he died. His wife, also at home, wasn't hurt.

One Lombard firefighter was treated for a minor injury and released at the scene.

The fire was contained within 20 minutes of dispatch.

The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit, the task force and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating.