Elderly Man Dies After Plainfield Township Fire

PLAINFIELD, IL — A man in his 80s has died after a fire in Plainfield Township, Plainfield Fire Chief Jon Stratton said Friday morning. Firefighters responded a report of a home on fire with an elderly person trapped inside in the 2500 block of Gael Avenue just before 10 p.m. Thursday.

Stratton said firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the rear of the single family home. The elderly man, who was the only occupant of the home at the time of the fire, was pulled from the house and taken to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Stratton said a family cat also perished in the fire. A Plainfield firefighter was transported to an area hospital and was treated and released after a medical issue.

Stratton said the elderly man's wife was not home at the time of the fire, as she was under medical care at an area facility.

The state fire marshal's office is assisting investigators, who have not yet determined the cause of the fire. Stratton said the fire does not appear suspicious.

Resident Jake Stalec shared video from the scene of the fire with Patch.