2 dead, 2 hurt in Austin fire

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Two people died and two others were injured in a fire Thursday morning in the West Side Austin neighborhood.

The fire broke out shortly before 10 a.m. in the 5200 block of West Race, according to Fire Media Affairs and Chicago Police. It was put out by 10:23 a.m.

An 86-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman suffered burns and smoke inhalation and were taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where they both later died, police and fire officials said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified them as Arthur Davis and Peggy Davis, who both lived in the same block as the fire. Autopsies Friday did not rule on the cause and manner of their deaths pending further investigation.

Another woman, age 88, was taken to West Suburban in fair-to-serious condition, according to the fire department. Police said her condition had stabilized.

Another man, in his 60s, was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, also in fair-to-serious condition, where he was stabilized, authorities said.

A 24-year-old woman refused medical treatment, police said.

Investigators have located at least one working smoke detector in the home, Fire Media Affairs said. Other smoke detectors were present but were destroyed in the fire.

The fire remained under investigation Thursday.