CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago fire officials said Saturday that the department was investigating a blaze that killed a firefighter who had been with the department for more than 30 years.

Memorials for Capt. Herbert Johnson were erected outside the damaged home that he was trying to keep from burning when he suffered inhalation injuries.

Johnson, 54, died late Friday at the University of Chicago emergency room after battling the house fire on Chicago's South Side. The father of three suffered second- and third-degree burns and officials said it's possible he was hit by a flashover of flames. Paramedics performed CPR as they carried him out of the home, fire officials said.