The Woodstock Fire Department responded to a fire that broke out around 7:30 p.m Thursday at a home in the 500 block of East Kimball Avenue in Woodstock.
Firefighters saw flames throughout the first floor extending into the attic, a statement from Woodstock Fire/Rescue Chief Ralph Webster said. Neighbors told firefighters that someone might still be inside because they had heard sounds from the back of the house.
Firefighters began a search, but were hampered by heavy flames and high heat, and when the fire spread to the attic, they were forced out of the building, Webster said.
They re-entered a short time later and found an elderly woman in the home, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said.
The McHenry County Coroner's office confirmed a woman was found dead, but her name was not being released early Friday morning.
An autopsy and other forensic testing is scheduled for Friday, according to the coroner's office.
Webster said the fire, which was extinguished just before 8:30 p.m., is not thought to be suspicious, but the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Firefighters had some problems due to icy roads and snow blocking fire hydrants, but Webster said those issues did not delay firefighting efforts. No other injuries were reported.
Woodstock police and the State Fire Marshall are investigating.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire - Copyright Chicago Sun-Times 2014.)
