Man Died In Rogers Park, Chicago Apartment Fire

December 17, 2023

55-Year-Old Man Died After Fire Broke Out In Rogers Park, Chicago At Apartment Building on 1900 Block of West Fargo Avenue

ROGERS PARK, ILLINOIS (December 17, 2023) – A 55-year-old man has tragically died after an apartment building caught fire in Rogers Park, Chicago.

Cook County officials are saying that the fire broke out around 2:24 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters were called to the Rogers Park apartment after getting reports of an active fire.

After firefighters entered the building, they discovered a man was unresponsive in the laundry room. Life-saving measures were taken, but he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators later determined that the fire was accidental. There are reports that no smoke alarms were heard. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Rogers Park Apartment Fires

Thousands of people are injured or killed every year in apartment fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “More than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires in 2015-2019 occurred in homes. Even worse, three-quarters (75%) of civilian fire deaths and almost three-quarters (72%) of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.” There are a number of common causes of apartment fires.

• The majority of apartment fires involve cooking accidents. This could include instances where stoves are left unattended.
• Many apartment fires are due to electrical issues.
• Heating appliances may also lead to a fire. This is particularly true with space heaters.

Depending on the facts of any case, an apartment owner could be liable for a deadly fire. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code (740 ILCS 130/1), property owners must maintain their property 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 to correct the dangerous condition. There are a number of fire code regulations that Chicago apartment owners must abide by.

• Apartment buildings will typically need smoke detectors in every unit and on every level.
• Apartment buildings will typically need fire extinguishers at designated locations.
• Apartment buildings must have clearly marked emergency exits.
• Some apartments may be required to have automatic sprinkler systems.

When an apartment owner is not following fire code regulations, this can put everyone at risk. It can also form the basis of a negligence claim if someone is injured or killed in a fire. The family of any person that died in an apartment fire may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Sadly, though, it is common for apartment owners to do everything that they can to deny liability in the event of an apartment fire.

Investigating Chicago Apartment Fires

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man that died in this Rogers Park apartment fire. Any person that may have more information about what happen should speak with investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about a Rogers Park apartment fire? Our team of apartment safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that renters are aware of their rights and that apartment owners are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.