An arson investigation is underway in a deadly apartment fire that killed three people, left one unaccounted for and injured three others early Thursday in Austin, officials said.
Their names, ages and genders are not being released because two victims’ next of kin have not yet been notified and the third remains unidentified, according to a spokesperson for the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Just before 2 a.m., the Chicago Fire Department responded to heavy fire in the rear of a building at 5222 W. North Ave. which is commercial on the first floor and residential on the upper floors.
They called for more support — 12 ambulances in total — and rescued people from windows of the building, fire department spokesman Larry Langford said.
Four adults and two children were initially taken to two nearby hospitals, Langford said. One adult and two children, whose ages were unknown, were in “grave” condition leaving the scene, he said.
Chicago police said immediately as the fire got underway, two investigations were opened — a death investigation and aggravated arson.
Details about why police believe foul play was suspected were not given.
As of about 10:45 a.m., the roof of the building was being removed, to help in searching for another person who is unaccounted for, said Langford.
A woman who only identified herself as a relative of the victims was standing outside the building, and appeared to be in shock. “I don’t know what’s happening,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Edwin, a 44-year-old who lives near the corner of North Avenue and Laramie Avenue, said he came home with his wife around ten minutes before 2 a.m. They soon said they heard multiple ambulances rushing to the scene.
“All of these people just lost their home, it’s sad,” Edwin said. “Hearing that people passed away, that hurts.”
Edwin said he usually walks his dogs near the building, and passes by neighbors that live there. He said knowing that they lost everything is “crazy.” “It’s bad for the community,” he said.
Another woman who declined to be identified told the Sun-Times she saw the whole thing from her window last night, as she was getting ready for work. “I heard loud booms and saw people jumping out of the window,” she said. “It was horrible.” The woman said she had to call off of work because of how upset she was.
Emma Mitts, Alderperson for the 37th Ward, said it was emotional to be at the scene, watching the roof of the building be removed. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Mitts said unfortunately, this was the second time in her career as alderperson where she witnessed a tragedy like this. “It just never goes away,” she said. “We’ll get through it.”
Walter, an Austin resident who lives down the street from the fire building, stood on the other side of North Avenue, watching workers remove parts of the roof and recording it on his phone.
Walter said he wasn’t sure what happened last night, since he lives in the basement of his building. “For my neighbors, I feel sad,” Walter, 44, told the Sun-Times in Spanish.
The investigation is ongoing and the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.