A woman and her 10-year-old granddaughter were killed early Sunday when a fire broke out in their University Park home.
Video: Images: Fatal Fire
Officials said the blaze broke at about 4:45 a.m. at a home located at 845 Oakside Lane in the far south suburb.
Beverly Washington, 50, and her granddaughter Briana N. Gerveis, 10, were found inside the home and were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to a the Will County coroner's office.
Neighbor Marty Cox said he unsuccessfully tried to rescue the victims.
"They were screaming for help. They were kind of disoriented," Cox said.
Officials said the fire started in an area near the kitchen on the first floor, NBC5 reported.
"She was a pretty girl -- pretty little girl. My little heart," said Briana's grandfather, Roger Gerveis.
"It's tragic. I don't know how the fire started, but it's real tragic. I hate to see people lose their lives like that," Cox said.
The cause of the fire was not determined.
Contributing: City News Service
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