Wheeling firefighters rescue woman from fire

A 25-year-old woman is recovering after Wheeling firefighters rescued her from the second floor of a burning home Thursday morning, said Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac.

"When firefighters arrived, the woman was leaning out her window and yelling for help," he said. "Police arrived at the scene first and tried to help, but were forced back because of heat and smoke. The firefighters arrived right behind them."

Firefighters used a ladder to rescue the woman from her home in the 400 block of Denoyer Trail in Wheeling at about 7:15 a.m. on Thursday. She was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and is in good condition, MacIsaac said.

The fire started in the home's den on the first floor and was mostly contained to that room. However, smoke cut off the woman's ability to use the stairs and escape. The woman was the only person home at the time, he said.

Damage to the home was estimated at more than $250,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but MacIsaac said he believed it was accidental.

The fire was under control in about 15 minutes, he said.