Investigators seek cause of Illinois fire that killed seven

Ron Opalecky, an assistant fire marshal in Cicero, said fire officials believe the blaze started in the rear of the house, which had several two- and three-bedroom apartments.

It was unclear how many people lived in the building. Town spokesman Ray Hanania said 23 people escaped.

“To happen on a day when families are usually coming together for love and life - Valentine’s Day - it makes it even more tragic,’’ said Hanania. “It impacted everybody, including the firemen.’’

He said initial reports indicated the victims might have been related. The blaze, which started around 6:30 a.m., was extinguished in about an hour, Hanania said.

Neighbors, meanwhile, remembered those who died in Sunday’s fire. Esther Soto described one of the victims as a 3-year-old boy who would come over and give people hugs and kisses. Four teenagers also died in the blaze.