No known cause in fatal Hoffman Estates fire
Hoffman Estates investigators still don't know what caused the backyard shed blaze that killed a former Marine who once saved another man from a burning building.
But after examining the scene and interviewing multiple neighbors and relatives of 60-year-old victim David Mugerditchian, authorities officially are ruling the Monday morning fatal fire accidental.
“Until such time when somebody comes forward as a witness to provide some more information, this will go down in the books as accidental,” Hoffman Estates Fire Chief Robert Gorvett said Tuesday. “The cause would be strictly speculative.”
Authorities say Mugerditchian was getting ready to leave for his job as an electrical inspector for the city of Des Plaines when he stopped in the 10-by-12 foot wooden shed on the 1000 block of Hillcrest Boulevard.
A neighbor heard multiple explosions at about 8:20 a.m. and found Mugerditchian in his yard with his clothes on fire. He was airlifted to the burn unit at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, where he died later Monday night from his injuries.
Firefighters were delayed extinguishing the fire because it spread to an electrical pole behind the structure, causing a power line to come down and forcing crews back until ComEd could shut off the electricity.
“Currently, the investigation has ended,” Gorvett said.
Mugerditchian is being remembered as a great husband and father of four who'd do anything for others.
In 1997, he rescued then 69-year-old Frank Pacey, who had become trapped in the second-story of a burning home. While recovering in his hospital bed from injuries suffered during the rescue, Mugerditchian was recognized as a hero and visited by Gorvett, then the acting fire chief, and former Village President Michael O'Malley.
Ÿ Staff writer Paul Biasco contributed to this report.