Des Plaines woman dies in early morning fire

A 48-year-old Des Plaines woman died after an early morning fire authorities believe started in her bedroom swept through her residence, authorities said.

Sandra Lupy, 48, of the 1000 block of Irwin Avenue, was found dead in a first floor bedroom after firefighters put out the blaze which started about midnight Monday, officials said.

The cause of the fire at this point is unknown, officials said.

Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax said firefighters called to the scene at about 12:04 a.m. found the split-level home fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Albert De Leon, who lives across the street from the home, said police and fire sirens woke him early Monday.

“I just opened the blinds and it was like a big fireball,” he said, adding that the home’s entire roof was in flames.

An adult man also in the home discovered the blaze, but was unable to reach Lupy to get her out, Wax said.

The man and a police officer who also entered in an effort to pull the victim to safety were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, Wax said. Fire crews contained and extinguished the blaze in 25 minutes, he added.

Neighbor Pat Solms said Lupy lived in the house with her father. Solms said flames were “just pouring out” of the lower level of the home.

“It was very sad, very sad and to know that she was in there — I was hoping she wasn’t, but I had that feeling because it was on the lower level and I know that’s always where she always was,” she said.

Next door neighbor Alicia Rivera said she would say hello to Lupy whenever she saw her outside, but usually Lupy “kept pretty much to herself.”

Firefighters woke up Rivera’s family when they arrived on the scene to tell them to evacuate, as the houses are close to each other.

“I was scared for my house, but I was more worried about them getting everybody out (of the house on fire) and I was disheartened to hear that (Lupy) didn’t make it,” Rivera said.

Investigators from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting the Des Plaines Fire Investigation Team to determine the cause of the blaze. At this point, officials believe the fire started in or around the bed where the victim was found. Appliances, heating, and electrical malfunction have been ruled-out as causes.

Firefighters from Elk Grove Village, Rosemont, Mount Prospect, North Maine, Elk Grove Township, Glenview, and Wheeling either assisted at the scene or helped cover Des Plaines fire stations.

More information will be released later, officials said.