Man Killed, Two Injured In Ravenswood, Chicago Apartment Fire
Unsafe Premises - January 26, 2025
Cause of Ravenswood, Chicago Apartment Fire That Injured Two and Left Man Dead at Complex on West Ainslie Street Remains Under Investigation
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 26, 2025) – A man has tragically died and two other people were injured in a Ravenswood Chicago apartment fire on West Ainslie Street.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place around 4:00 AM on Wednesday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims.
They encountered and extricated a man in his 30s who was unresponsive in the building. Despite life-saving measures, he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other people were taken to local area hospitals in order to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. Firefighters were eventually able to put out the blaze around 6:15 AM that same day.
The cause of the Ravenswood fire remains under investigation.
Liability for Chicago Apartment Fires
Residential fires remain a major cause of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to The Zebra, “In a five-year period, house fires caused 2,620 deaths and $6.9 billion in property damage (NFPA). In 2018, the national average was 2.5 civilian fire deaths and 9.8 injuries per 1,000 fires (NFDR).” There are a number of common causes of apartment fires.
- A fire may start due to some type of electrical malfunction.
- A fire may start if a lithium-ion battery explodes.
- A fire could start due to a heating accident. Space heaters can be particularly dangerous in the winter.
- A fire could start due to smoking or unattended candles.
Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe. This entails that they are compliant with all fire codes. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice that their property is in a dangerous condition, they must take action to mitigate the unsafe condition. This could include replacing nonfunctional smoke detectors. There are a number of ways that a property owner may have failed to prevent or mitigate a fire.
- A property owner may have failed to repair or replace damaged wiring in a building.
- A property owner may have failed to install smoke detectors.
- A property owner may have stored flammable materials near heat sources.
- A property owner may fail to use fire-resistant materials where they were needed.
When a property owner is negligent, and one of their tenants is injured in a fire, they could be held at fault through a personal injury claim. Damages in a personal injury claim can help cover many of the losses that a person might incur due to a fire. This includes all of the medical bills that a person may have to spend to recover. It may also include non-tangible damages, such as the pain and suffering that a person endures. A premises liability attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Chicago Apartment Fires
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this Ravenswood apartment fire. It is our sincere hope that the two other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about the source of the fire should reach out to the Chicago Fire Department.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Ravenswood apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of premises liability attorneys is committed to helping accident victims get justice and holding property owners accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.