Fire at funeral home damages bodies

Fire at a Chicago funeral home left several bodies badly burned and family members already grieving the loss of loved ones standing nearby in stunned silence.

Spencer Leak Senior of Leak and Sons Funeral Home says Tuesday's fire started in a 600-square-foot back room used to prepare bodies. The bodies of six adults and a child believed to be about 2 years old were severely burned in the blaze. Other bodies in the room were not damaged in the fire.

The Leaks say they contacted the seven affected families and said relatives have agreed to have closed-casket funerals. Fees for the funerals and cemetery costs have been waived.

Fire Department spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez says the cause of the fire was undetermined. Fire officials are awaiting the results of an electrical analysis and have no reason to suspect arson.