Chicago Police Seek Arson Suspect After Deadly West Englewood House Fire

Chicago, Illinois – Chicago police are searching for a suspect after classifying a deadly house fire in West Englewood as arson. An 8-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were killed in the blaze, which broke out just before 3 a.m. at 62nd and Paulina.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) said investigators are fairly confident the fire was intentionally set and indicated a possible dispute between neighbors.

“There are better ways to resolve issues when you don’t get along with your neighbors, or if you have issues with somebody else,” Lopez said. “You don’t set their home on fire. You don’t endanger the lives of innocent children sleeping at midnight.”

Two other boys, ages 14 and 16, were rescued and are in stable condition at Comer Children’s Hospital. A woman and a man suffered severe burns and remain in critical condition at the University of Chicago Hospital.

Cadarius Wilson, who was driving to visit a friend but realized he was on the wrong block, recounted rushing to help after hearing dogs barking and seeing the flames. He described pulling a gate from the ground to reach the backyard and catching two boys as they tried to escape from a window.

Firefighters and police responded to the chaotic scene, with officers later canvassing the neighborhood to identify who set the house on fire. Lopez noted the cause remains under investigation.

Authorities have reached out to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which is working to confirm details about the individuals involved.