Suburban man dies after being forcibly pulled from fire

Authorities in Cicero say a 68-year-old man died after refusing to leave his burning house with his beloved dog inside.

John Petrik reportedly lived alone with his 13-year-old German shepherd mix, Regis, in the single-family home. Officials said police had to forcibly remove him from the burning home early Wednesday morning, and Petrik suffered some sort of medical emergency in a police squad car.

Petrik was pronounced dead at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.

Regis, who suffered from smoke inhalation and burns, was under intensive care at an Oak Park veterinary hospital.