Body Recovered in Chicago Fire Brings Death Toll to Four

A fourth person has died after a suspicious fire erupted at an apartment building in the Austin neighborhood Thursday morning, the Chicago Fire Department said Friday. 

The body of the fourth victim, who hasn’t been identified, was recovered Friday among the rubble at the building in the 5200 block of West North Avenue, according to Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford. Three others — two adults and one child — also died Thursday in the blaze that broke out shortly before 2 a.m. 

The victims include a 5-year-old boy, a 32-year-old woman and 76-year-old man, according to Chicago police. Their identities had not been released as of Friday morning, but one of them is believed to be a longtime community voice well known in the area, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and his staff told the Tribune.

The fire, which left three others critically injured including a 4-year-old boy, is believed to be suspicious in nature and a potential motive is listed as “altercation — love triangle,” Chicago police sources said. Arson detectives were at the scene Thursday. A police spokesperson said an investigation is ongoing. 

It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish the “fast-moving” blaze, which authorities also believe left more than 20 people displaced. Within about 10 minutes of firefighters arriving at the scene, Langford said the building was completely engulfed. Soon after, an extra alarm was called. He said firefighters used eight ladders to rescue people from the building, and that at least six were rescued from windows.

Victor Delfi, who lives nearby in Austin, said he saw “a huge flame” erupting from the top of an apartment building when he looked outside his window about 2:15 a.m. He said he also heard gunshots around that time. 

“It’s unbelievable,” Delfi, 66, told the Tribune. “Like something out of the demon world.”

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