Minooka, Illinois – A 75-year-old Minooka woman died after a house fire Monday morning in Seward Township.
According to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 9:46 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, to the 15000 block of Hanson Road in unincorporated Seward Township following reports of a structure fire. The Lisbon Seward Fire Protection District also responded.
Initial dispatch information indicated a woman may still have been inside the residence and was having difficulty exiting. When deputies and firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames, preventing first responders from entering.
Authorities said that once the fire was contained and firefighters were able to access the home, they located 75-year-old Sharleen R. Smith of Minooka deceased inside.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office is working in collaboration with the Lisbon Seward Fire Protection District, the Kendall County Coroner’s Office, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
According to the Kendall County Coroner’s Office, the official cause and manner of death are pending further investigation and a forensic autopsy.
No additional injuries were reported, and officials have not released further details about the origin of the fire.
The incident drew a significant emergency response to the rural area, affecting local traffic during the morning hours. Hanson Road commuters and nearby residents experienced temporary access restrictions as crews worked the scene.
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