One Dead, Four Injured In South Shore, Chicago Apartment Fire
Wrongful Death - June 16, 2024
Cook County Officials Investigating Deadly South Shore Apartment Fire By 78th Street and Phillips Avenue
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (June 16, 2025) – One person has tragically died and four people were injured in a South Shore, Chicago apartment fire near 78th Street and Phillips Avenue.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place early Saturday. The Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at a three-flat apartment building.
Firefighters were able to rescue four people and transport them to the hospital. A 24-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two children were among those rescued and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago Apartment Fires
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in residential fires every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “In 2022, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in the United States. These fires caused 3,790 civilian fire deaths and 13,250 reported civilian fire injuries. The property damage caused by these fires was estimated at $18 billion.” There are a number of common causes of apartment fires.
- Cooking accidents
- Heating equipment
- Electrical issues
- Appliances
- Barbecue grills
An apartment owner could potentially be liable for any fire resulting in injury or death. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code(740 ILCS 130/1), property owners must maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. If a property owner fails to take reasonable measures in order to prevent an apartment fire, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Apartment owners will typically need to take a number of measures in order to prevent apartment fires.
- Apartment owners should install smoke detectors.
- Apartment owners should have fire extinguishers dispersed throughout the building.
- Apartment owners should ensure that all appliances are in working order.
- Apartment owners should ensure that building repairs are performed with fire-resistant materials.
Apartment fires are often highly preventable and may involve failures at several levels. Even if the start of a fire was inevitable, there could be several other failures that contribute to injury or death. For example, the doorways or windows of an apartment may have been blocked, thereby creating a fire hazard. It is important for victims of apartment fires to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person who died in a South Shore apartment fire may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating South Shore Apartment Fires
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the person who died in a South Shore apartment fire. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Chicago Fire Department.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a South Shore apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of premises liability attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.
