Evanston Man Dies In Apartment Fire On Oakton: Fire Department

EVANSTON, IL — An Evanston man died after being pulled from a burning apartment building Tuesday morning. At 5:04 a.m. firefighters arrived in the 1300 block of Oakton Street and found a three-story building on fire, according to the Evanston Fire Department.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke, fire and reports of a person inside as they entered through the rear of the building, Division Chief Paul Polep said.

As they worked their way through the building, firefighters found a man unresponsive in a bedroom adjacent to the fire, he said.

The man was rushed to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition, Polep said. He was later pronounced dead.

Norbert Kouba, 66, was identified as the man found in the building, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Two people who live downstairs were able to escape unharmed after being awoken by their fire alarm, according to Polep. The structure has two connected lower floors and a top unit where the fire began.

One firefighter was hurt, suffering leg injuries, according to Polep. He was admitted to the hospital and later released.

The incident remains under investigation and cause the fire is still unknown.

Top photo via Evanston FD