Dec. 03--A woman was found dead Tuesday as firefighters extinguished a blaze at a home on the Northwest Side, fire officials said.
The woman was killed in the fire in the 5200 block of West Melrose Street, said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
The victim was identified as a 72-year-old woman who lived at the address where the fire took place, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. She was identified as Shirley Ryan, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 3 p.m., according to the office.
Fire crews were called to the scene about 2 p.m.
Nearby residents saw flames coming from the front of the two-flat style building and called 911, Langford said. When firefighters arrived, they entered the home and found the woman in the front part of the building, Langford said.
Damage to the building was largely confined to the front interior of the building.
Firefighters heard no working smoke detectors when they arrived at the scene, Fire Department spokesman Knight said.
Family members at the scene declined to comment.
No extra alarms were called for the house fire, Langford said.
Tribune reporter Meredith Rodriguez contributed
