Man dies after starting Gage Park fire that damaged three homes
A man died after starting a fire in Gage Park Thursday night, according to Chicago fire officials.
Firefighters responded to a call of a rubbish fire at 5000 block of South Campbell Avenue at 6:41 p.m., said Chicago Fire Chief Juan Hernandez. A man, whose age wasn’t known, was found on the first floor of the house and taken to Christ Hospital where he later died; Chicago police said he started the fire, and the cause has been listed as arson.
A police officer had tried to knock on the door when the fire was first reported, and before firefighters could arrive, but was turned away until the smoke became heavier, Hernandez said.
Due to the thick smoke and heavy fire, firefighters initially had to pull back, Hernandez said. As the fire spread and damaged the homes on either side of the initial building, more than 150 firefighters were called to the scene to assist.
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