Woman, 75, Dies In Rural Minooka Farmhouse Fire On Hanson Road: Kendall County Sheriff

MINOOKA, IL — A 75-year-old woman died at her farmhouse in rural Minooka when an enormous fire broke out mid-morning on Monday. The Kendall County Coroner's Office has identified the fatality victim as Minooka resident Sharleen Smith.

Kendall County Sheriff's spokesman Dan Briars issued a follow up press release at 5:15 p.m. revealing that its agency is now investigating the circumstances of the house fire that killed Smith.

Deputies responded to Hanson Road in rural Minooka at 9:46 a.m. to assist the Lisbon Seward Fire Protection District with the structure fire. Hanson Road is about a mile long; it's between Bell Road and Holt Road and only has a few farmhouses along the road.

The 911 radio dispatch indicated that a woman may still be inside, and she was having difficulty exiting the house, Briars indicated.

Upon arrival, the firefighters found the house totally engulfed with flames and first responders were unable to enter, the Kendall County Sheriff's Office said. Once the fire was contained, firefighters entered the house and found Smith's body.

The fatal fire investigation is being conducted with Lisbon Seward Fire Protection District, the Kendall County coroner's office and the state fire marshal's office, according to Briars. The coroner will determine the cause and manner of death for Smith.