Fatal Overnight Apartment Fire Under Investigation in Des Plaines

Published on May 22, 2026

Press Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Fatal Overnight Apartment Fire Under Investigation in Des Plaines 

DES PLAINES, IL — The Des Plaines Fire and Police Departments responded to a reported apartment fire with possible entrapment at 772 Fifth Court at approximately 12:39 a.m. on May 22. 

When crews arrived, they found heavy fire in an eight-unit, two-story apartment building. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and searched all units. 

During the response, crews located and removed one victim from the apartment where the fire started. The victim, a 70-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other 13 residents were safely evacuated, and no additional injuries were reported. 

The Des Plaines Fire Department was assisted by fire departments from Mt. Prospect, Park Ridge, Niles, Prospect Heights, Glenview, and North Maine. No firefighters or police officers were injured. 

The building has been deemed uninhabitable. Nicor Gas and ComEd responded to secure utilities at the scene. The Des Plaines Department of Public Works also addressed a water main break on Fifth Court, which did not impact firefighting operations. The American Red Cross assisted displaced residents. 

The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by the Des Plaines Police and Fire Departments, MABAS investigators, and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Cook County Medical Examiner also responded to the scene. 

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. 

### 

Contact: 

Matt Matzl

Fire Chief

mmatzl@desplainesil.gov

847-391-5336

Brad Goodman

Director of Communications

bgoodman@desplainesil.gov

847-391-6122