Nine Injured In Edgewater, Chicago Apartment Fire on Kenmore Avenue

Unsafe Premises - April 4, 2025

Nine Seriously Injured in Apartment Fire at Edgewater, Chicago That Started on the Fourth Floor of Vintage Building

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (April 4, 2025) – At least nine people were injured in Edgewater, Chicago after a fire started in an apartment building at 5439-41 N. Kenmore Avenue.

Cook County officials are saying that the incident began on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the vintage apartment building and came across a man trapped on the roof.

A video of the fire showed a woman who was attempting to get air through a window as black smoke poured out. Roughly 125 firefighters responded to the scene.

Ten ambulances were also called. At least nine people were seriously injured in the Edgewater apartment fire. The source of the fire remains under investigation, but it is believed that it started on the fourth floor of the building.

A large portion of the people in the building were seniors. A full investigation into the fire remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Chicago Apartment Fires

Residential fires remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Nearly one-quarter of the fires (24 percent) occurred in home properties, including one- or two-family homes and apartments or other multifamily housing, yet these fires caused more than three-quarters of the civilian fire deaths (79 percent) and injuries (77 percent).”  Apartment owners should take a number of measures in order to prevent fires.

• Fire Alarms and Smoke Detectors: Apartment owners should install smoke detectors and fire alarms in units and common areas.
• Fire Extinguishers: Apartment owners should install fire extinguishers in common areas.
• Sprinklers: Apartment owners may need to install automatic fire sprinklers, depending on local codes.
• Building Maintenance: Apartment owners should ensure that their buildings are routinely inspected and properly maintained. Water heaters can become particularly hazardous if they’re not maintained for long periods.

Every apartment owner in Chicago has a legal obligation to protect their tenants from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Pursuant to 740 ILCS 130/1, apartments and other properties must be maintained in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. Failing to take action could form the basis of a civil claim.

There are a number of scenarios where an apartment owner could be liable for a fire. This may include instances where the building owner is aware that the building’s electrical wiring is many decades old. Despite this, they never hire an electrician to inspect or upgrade the buildings electrical systems. This could easily lead to a short circuit, which sparks a fire that spreads to multiple units. It is important that several steps are taken after any apartment fire in Chicago.

• The cause of the fire should be determined. This is particularly important if an issue with the building may have contributed to the fire.
• Medical records related to any injuries should be preserved. In many cases, the severity of a person’s injuries may not be obvious for several weeks or months.
• Surveillance footage that may have captured the fire should be collected. This can be crucial in helping to determine where and how the fire began.
• An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted. An attorney can help victims of residential fires recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

Even if an apartment owner was not directly responsible for how a fire began, their negligence may have still contributed to a person’s injuries. For example, if exits to a building are obstructed, this could lead to a person being trapped. Smoke inhalation remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in residential fires. Any person that is injured in an apartment fire may be able to seek some measure of compensation through a personal injury claim.

Investigating Chicago Apartment Fires

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Edgewater apartment fire. It is sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the fire department. There are many questions that remain unanswered. What was the cause of this fire? Was this building up to code? Have there been other fires at this location in the past?

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Edgewater apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of premises liability attorneys is committed to helping accident victims get the support in justice that they’re entitled to under the law. We believe that all people have a right to live in safe conditions that are free from known hazards. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.