By AP/KWMU
Washington Park, Ill. – A fire at the Econo Inn in Washington Park, Ill. left a man and a woman dead and another woman injured early Sunday morning.
Washington Park Fire Chief Raymond Mix said one woman was able to escape by squeezing through the bars that are attached to the windows.
Investigators are searching for the cause of the fire. Katrice Carraway, 25, of East St. Louis and Carlos Glispie, 34, of Cahokia died. Their bodies were found in a second-floor room next to the room where the fire started.
Authorities say the victims were probably overcome by smoke and couldn't get out.
Firefighters used a ladder to rescue one resident from a second-story window, and several others got out safely after hearing smoke alarms.
The Illinois Fire Marshal's office is helping Washington Park officials investigate the fire's cause.
The motel has been closed because of smoke and fire damage.