Six people, including one firefighter and two children, were hospitalized after a fire of suspicious origin in a Chicago apartment complex.
The fire broke out in an apartment building at 79th and Phillips in Chicago’s South Side on the morning of Sept. 7.
The Chicago Fire Department told CBS they had extinguished a fire at that address early in that morning, and they were then called back around 6:30 a.m. for a larger blaze.
When firefighters returned to the building to extinguish the second fire, people were trying to escape from the upper-floor windows.
Deputy Commander Richard Ford told CBS, “Upon arrival, companies found occupants hanging out of the windows, and (rescue efforts) immediately started.”
7901 Phillips early in fire. pic.twitter.com/7NPNiaLFqV
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 7, 2018
Other people in the neighborhood also came out to help. One passer-by saved around eight people by himself.
Jesse Stringer was driving past the scene when he saw people trapped inside. He parked, leapt out of his car, and rushed to the door. He ran through the flaming building, kicking doors open and leading inhabitants to safety.
“I saw kids hanging out the window and I saw a building burning, and my body just acted,” Stringer told CBS. “It was so hot, I didn’t think I could do it—it was hard.”
One of more than 20 rescues via ladder from 3-11 at 7901 Phillips. OFI has termed the fire suspicious and our evidence has been turned over to CPD for further investigation. It was open flame ignition to available combustibles with preliminary indication of accelerant. pic.twitter.com/hesdifBVtl
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 7, 2018
Another man told CBS that someone threw an infant to him from an upper-story window. The man caught the child using his jacket as a net.
More than 20 people were rescued from the burning structure.
One resident, Christian Washington, said the smoke was so thick no one could see an escape route.
“The smoke was trapping us in the front room (so) we couldn’t see anything,” he told CBS. “It was very scary–I thought I was going to lose my life if I’m being honest with you.”
Six Serious Injuries
Up to fifty people were left homeless by the fire. Aside from the six who were sent to the hospital, about two dozen other residents were treated at a temporary triage station set up in the parking lot of a neighboring McDonald’s.
One firefighter was in good condition after being treated for smoke inhalation. One child was hospitalized with smoke inhalation and was in critical condition. The other child who was hospitalized was doing better, CBS reported.
According to the Chicago Fire Department, three adult civilians were treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
7901 Phillips 5 civilian injuries 3 adults smoke and burns. Two children hurt younger child is critical. pic.twitter.com/aAxjgSAcFY
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 7, 2018
Suspicious Origin
The Office of Fire Investigations determined that the fire was of suspicious origin, saying it started from “open flame ignition to available combustibles with preliminary indication of accelerant,” stated a Chicago Fire Department tweet.
In other words, someone gathered fuel, soaked it with a flammable substance, and lit it on fire.
The investigation has been turned over to the Chicago Police Department.
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