Father, son killed in Streamwood house fire, wife critically injured, authorities say

STREAMWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- A father and son were killed and a wife and mother was critically injured as smoke and flames raced through a home in the northwest suburbs Tuesday.

The fire broke out at about 1:16 a.m., and smoke was showing when firefighters arrived at the 1200-block of North Green Meadows Boulevard, Streamwood Fire Chief Mike Meyer said.

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Fire officials said, when they arrived to the two-story home, smoke and flames were coming from the basement. They found three people trapped inside.

Paramedics performed life-saving measures on all three victims, but two did not survive. A third was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

"It's tough for us because, you know, we're out there to save people. And when that doesn't happen, it's tough," Meyer said.

Dale Wians, 74, and Brandon Wians, 29, were identified as the victims who died, officials said.

Neighbors told ABC7 Chicago the two were related.

"I was like, 'no. It can't be; it can't be,'" said Abel Escobar, who lives nearby. "It's heartbreaking again because we saw them literally like three days ago."

Several neighbors said a retired couple has lived in the home for decades with their adult son, who uses a wheelchair.

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The family often spends time outside, and are friendly, kind and devoted parents, neighbors said.

The Illinois state fire marshal is investigating how this happened, while board-up crews work to repair the damage left behind.

"We are sad because we see these neighbors every couple days, walking around, taking their morning walks," Escobar said. "Our children playing in the front yard, and we would say, 'hey kids, say hello to the neighbors.' They always come and chat with us. But it's heartbreaking because it could happen to anybody."

The neighborhood is in mourning.

"I couldn't believe it. It brought me to tears because I knew what kind of close family they were," neighbor Diana Muñoz said. "They been out walking, getting their exercise, walking with their son, letting him lead the way. He would ride his bike and they were right behind him."

The couple was known to bike around the neighborhood, as well.

"Green Meadows is about 2 miles, and that's what they did, twice a day with their son. You don't see family this tight. And they're tight, very tight, community-wise, family-wise, friend-wise. They're everything to a lot of people," neighbor Leanna Christensen said. "The shirt off your back. If you needed it, they gave it to you. If you needed a dinner, they gave it to you. If you didn't have something and you needed it, they gave it to you. There was no two ways about it."

Neighbors have been dropping off flowers and sharing memories.

"If you knew them, you would sit on the front porch with them and just talk, just like you knew them your whole life, even you just met them," said neighbor Ruth Forrest.

From their familiar blue chairs, the couple had a front row seat to decades of life and love in this neighborhood. They were known for their daily family walks.

"The family would walk him every single day in the wheelchair. They'd take him. He'd push him, and she'd walk right behind them every day, and now, I won't see them anymore," Forrest said.

Fire officials said a preliminary investigation has led them to pinpoint a utility closet in the basement as the source of the fire.

At this point, it appears to have been accidental.

Several agencies assisted Streamwood, including the Bartlett, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and East Dundee fire departments.