Fatal Palatine fire caused by electrical problem
Palatine fire investigators say an electrical malfunction is to blame for a fire Friday that killed a 63-year-old woman and injured her disabled daughter.
Officials said Monday the fatal blaze on the 100 block of Oak Street was accidental, having started in the bedroom of the 34-year-old special-needs daughter who remains in critical condition.
Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Gratzianna said the extent of the damage prevented any specific appliance from being pinpointed as the source of the fire, though a particular wall outlet in the second-floor bedroom may have had a power strip or extension cord plugged into it.
The fire took the life of Lois A. Demos, who was pronounced dead at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Her daughter, Lindsey Demos, was taken to the burn unit at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Loyola had no further information on her condition Monday, but neighbor Linda Kuzmiak said she's heard from family that she remains stable and sedated while being treated for second-degree burns and smoke inhalation.
Kuzmiak said Lindsey Demos would not yet know of the death of her mother, who was her full-time caregiver, and feared for her reaction to the loss.
"We just have to say our prayers because she's just a lovable young lady," Kuzmiak said of Lindsey Demos, whose disabilities stem from premature birth and multiple sclerosis.
Though Lindsey Demos' father, Edward, previously died of a heart attack at the Palatine home, she still has a brother, Eddie Jr., Kuzmiak said.
Two other neighbors, a husband and wife, suffered injuries attempting to enter the home to help the Demoses before firefighters arrived at 8:18 p.m. Friday. They were released Saturday from St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.
Visitation for Lois Demos will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Family and friends will meet Friday at the funeral home for a funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Palatine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Kirk School, 520 S. Plum Grove Road, Palatine, IL 60067; or to Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, 426 W. Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.