Second Victim Dies In Oak Lawn Trailer Fire, Police Investigation Continues

OAK LAWN, IL — A second man has succumbed to burn injuries after a fire broke out overnight Thursday in the Airway Mobile Home Park that killed another man who was pronounced dead at the scene. Both deaths are being investigated as a “possible homicide,” Oak Lawn Police Chief Michael Murray said at a press conference.

Police said in a news release that the second man was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center and later transferred to the burn unit at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. The names of both victims are being withheld pending notification of family.

Oak Lawn police are working with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, Oak Lawn fire investigators, and the Illinois State Fire Marshall. The investigation is ongoing and police are awaiting a ruling from Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Oak Lawn Fire Department was alerted to a possible fire around 1:45 a.m. at the Airway Mobile Home Community at 90th Street and Cicero Avenue. When fire crews arrived, they found two mobile homes engulfed in flames on the south side of Airway facing Cicero Avenue.

Full coverage of press conference following a possible arson at an Oak Lawn trailer park.

A Hometown police officer who happened to be in the area pulled a victim out of a mobile home located in lot 10D. Oak Lawn Fire Chief George Sheets said the fire was extinguished in 20 minutes, after which firefighters found another victim in full cardiac arrest inside the home.

Sheets said that paramedics performed advanced life-saving measures on the man on the way to Christ Medical Center. His pulse was recovered in the ER and he was brought to Loyola in extremely critical condition where he later died in the afternoon.

A person living in lot 10E directly adjacent to the home where the two men were found was also brought to Christ Medical Center where he was treated for possible smoke inhalation and released.

Police Chief Murray said based on information given to police by witnesses and neighbors that prompted them to activate the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, comprised of investigators from other south suburban communities. Murray would not comment on the relationship of the two men, whether both were living in the trailer where they were found, or where the fire originated.

“We’re investigating it as a possible homicide,” Murray said.

Meanwhile, members of the major crimes task force were stopping early-morning dog walkers, asking if they knew the men. Their names are being withheld pending notification of their families.

Investigators wearing purple gloves were combing through the garbage of another mobile home located inside the park about a block away from the fire. Police were also reportedly inside that mobile home looking for evidence.

Neighbors told Patch that police were looking for a possible person of interest, a young man who may have been living with the family, although this has not been confirmed.

Patch will continue to update this story when new information becomes available.

This story is developing. Check back later for updates.