Cicero fire: Mother, 16-year-old son killed after house erupts in flames

CICERO, Ill. - Two people were killed in a large fire that broke out early Wednesday at a home in west suburban Cicero.

The fire started around 5:15 a.m. in the rear of a two-and-a-half-story home in the 5000 block of West 29th Street, fire officials said. When firefighters arrived, they found the entire second floor engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were able to help an older woman evacuate the home, but two others were trapped on the second floor. Crews were unable to reach them in time, and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The victims were identified as Aura Armas, 41, and her 16-year-old son, Luis Armas Jr. The family of five had been living in the home, which also housed the husband, his mother and a 14-year-old boy.

Three family dogs also managed to escape the blaze safely. 

While fighting the fire, officials determined that a neighboring vacant structure had also caught fire, with both homes burning at one point.

The cause of the fire, which began inside the home, is under investigation.