Coroner Releases Cause of Death for Sun City Fire Victim

James Horn, the 73-year-old Sun City victim of a Nov. 4 house fire, died from "asphyxia, inhalation of products of combustion and the residential fire" itself, according to the Kane County Coroner office.

The Kane Coroner’s Office released the cause of death to Huntley Patch, after conducting an investigation and autopsy. The coroner's part of the investigation is now closed. The office did not hold an inquest.

Horn died on Nov. 4, 2011, when his house at 12786 Oak Grove Dr., caught fire.

A separate investigation into what ignited the fire is ongoing by Horn’s insurance company. Huntley Fire Marshall Ernie Link said he has not received a final report from the company as to what started the blaze. Link said he has received several inquiries from residents regarding the fire.

The Sun City fire broke out at about 10:30 a.m., and neighbors reported the fire, according to previous .

When Huntley police arrived at the scene, they tried to kick open the front door but the smoke was too heavy, witnesses said. A total of 30 firefighters, six engines and a tanker battled the blaze.

One crew of firefighters began a search and rescue effort to save Horn, and another worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters ran into trouble when a flashover occurred, firefighters said. A flashover is when unburned particles rise to the ceiling and all ignite at once.

Firefighters had to back off from the flashover until the flames were contained and then continued the search and rescue effort. They found Horn a short time later.

Horn’s house had a working smoke alarm, which helped alert a neighbor down the street. It is unknown why Horn did not exit the home, but one witness said he had difficulty getting around.