Children escape Aurora fire, but mother killed

Three young children escaped a burning home early Monday in Aurora, but their mother died, authorities said.

The 39-year-old victim was being removed through a second-floor window by Aurora firefighters when fire spread to her bedroom, injuring a captain.

The 51-year-old captain was taken to a hospital and treated for minor burns to his upper back, neck and ear. He was released a short time later.

The fire department responded at 3:45 a.m. to the 500 block of Spruce Street after a passerby was flagged down by three children who said their house was on fire and their mother was still inside, authorities said.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, and it was noted that there were no working smoke detectors in the home," the fire department said in a news release.

The damages were estimated at $85,000, and the house has been deemed uninhabitable. The 45-year-old father and the three children, ages 9, 6 and 3, will be staying with relatives.

The mother was pronounced dead at Amita Health Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. Her name wasn't immediately released. There were no other injuries.

• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.