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Boy, 4, Dies In Bensenville House Fire

BENSENVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- A 4-year-old boy was killed Wednesday afternoon, when he became trapped inside a burning home in Bensenville.

Firefighters were called to the home at 1555 W. Devon Av. around 2 p.m., and found smoke and fire coming from two sides of the house.

A family member told firefighters a child was trapped inside the house, and crews rushed in to try to find him.

Bensenville Fire Protection District Deputy Chief David Traiforos said firefighters did what they could to save the boy, but they couldn't get to him in time.

"Firefighters made a frantic effort to search for the [child]. By the time they found the child, the child was deceased," he said.

The boy, Martin Pletz, was pronounced dead at the scene Wednesday evening, according to the DuPage County Coroner's office. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.

Two dogs also died in the fire, and another person suffered minor injuries. Six other family members safely escaped the home, but have been left temporarily homeless.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office was investigating the cause of the fire.

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