By Joseph Ruzich
The Chicago Tribune

BERWYN, Ill. — A Berwyn man tried but was unable to save his partially paralyzed brother from their burning home Tuesday.

Miguel Rodriguez, 45, died not long after his brother, Eddie, tried to rescue him after finding him in a bed in flames, authorities said.

Fire officials were called about 5:50 p.m. to the two-flat home in the 3600 block of Ridgeland Avenue. They learned that Eddie Rodriguez had tried to pull his brother from the basement, which was ablaze, but was forced to abandon him as the flames shot out of control, said Fire Chief Denis O'Halloran.

Five other family members got out safely.

Miguel Rodriguez was burned throughout his entire body. He was pronounced dead in MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.Officials are awaiting the autopsy results.

O'Halloran said fire officials saved one of the family's dogs, a Lhasa apso, but other pets, including a Rottweiler and four parakeets, died in the blaze. Eddie Rodriguez told officials that his brother was a heavy smoker, but they are investigating the fire and haven't determined the cause.

Copyright 2008 Chicago Tribune Company