An Evanston man died after an apartment fire in the 1300 block of Oakton Street early Tuesday morning, according to an Evanston Fire Department news release.

EFD responded at 5:04 a.m. to the report of a structure fire in the two-unit apartment building, and first responders on the scene encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building, according to the release. When EFD entered the building, they found “heavy fire conditions” on the third floor of the building.

The 65-year-old victim was found in a bedroom adjacent to the room containing the fire. The man was taken from the building and transported to Saint Francis Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the release.

All residents from the first unit were safely outside the building when fire crews arrived, and told responders smoke detectors had alerted them of the fire, the release note.

One firefighter was injured during the blaze and was transported to Evanston Hospital, according to the release. He was later released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ryanwangman