Early this morning at 7706 North Marshfield, on the third floor, six young lives ended in a fire that was allegedly caused by burning candles because the family was living with-out electricity for at least one month.
The six children from the ages of three years of age - to mid teens, all allegedly died from smoke inhalation. Three children are still in the hospital, along with one adult, the mother.
The property is a CIG property that has a long history of neglect in the Rogers Park area. The ownership would rather contribute to the Alderman's campaign fund than take care of his properties.
Now, the building is a scene of a major tragedy that could have been prevented.
There is no security system on the entire property. The gated doors both front and rear don't have locks. The buzzer system is broken. This is what I photographed this morning. Word at this moment if there weren't any working smoke detectors in the unit.
Updated: This was a mother with nine children living in a three bedroom apartment with-out working electricity. Ages of the dead children are: Two-3 year olds, one - 6 year old, a 10 year old, a 12 year old and a 16 year old. The father has been notified.
What a heart-breaker this morning. This is so sad how people are forced to live in that CIG building with-out security and power. Now we have so many dead children. I pray the mother and her remaining three children pull though this tragedy and fully recover. All reports are preliminary according to Commissioner Orozco.
CNN
Channel 2
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Tribune
Updated #2:
Statement from Jay Johnson General Partner, Marshway Limited Partnership, which owns the apartment building at 7706 North Marshfield Avenue.
On behalf of Marshway Limited Partnership, I am deeply saddened by the devastating tragedy that occurred early this morning at 7706 North Marshfield Avenue in Rogers Park.
Our company has a longstanding commitment to the development of housing in Rogers Park and Chicago that is affordable to families. We join people in this community, city and around the nation and world who mourn the loss of six young lives and offer our condolences to the family and community members.
Jay Johnson
General Partner
Marshway Limited Partnership
Updated #3: I just received a press release from the Alderman's office also. I'm not going to run it. This jackass of a public official is using this tragedy for political purposes and this must stop. How long are people going to buy this tired act? Six people died because Alderman Moore allows slumlords to run free - without taking care of their properties. Then acts like some modern day Robin Hood when tragedy strikes. He's as much of a scumbag as his buddy Jay Johnson. I'll have much more on these two pals tomorrow.
The Law: Residential building owners in Chicago are required to install code-compliant smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. A landlord can be fined up to $500 per day for negligence.
It is also against the law for anyone to remove batteries or damage smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. A person who tampers with a smoke detector can be fined up to $1,000 and be jailed for up to six months.
9 comments:
If you follow these blogs at all, then you knew a slam of the slumlord would come.
Never do we talk about how these types of tragedies affect the poor disproportionately then the upper and middle class. And Mr. Orr mentions how a 20-dollar device can prevent it or often times, just the cost of a new battery.
But then there is the fact that the government steps in and tries to help. The fire department has been giving out free smoke detectors and batteries for months, if not a year. They try and spread the word, but still people do not hear, they do not listen and tragedy comes again to a poor family.
It is sad that these events take place all too often, but lets face the facts ass to who is responsible.
I have food and clothing for the survivors. Where can we accumulate these items (Heartland, Canidates Offices, Various EL stops, your house)?
Craig, I will talk to the local fire house and see about what they offer for free then we can evaluate how best to spread the word about free smoke detectors and batteries. I can print and I know how much you like to walk and flyer. We can reach out for the immediate and future needs of those affected.
These are our neighbors.
If someone is negligent then lets identify that and prevent future events such as these.
To the Rogers Park Community;
The North Howard Neighbors Association is in the process of establishing The Ramirez Family Fund which will be administered by an area bank, yet to be determined. As soon as the fund is officially established we will provide details.
Mike
NHNA
Hey Neil,
Mr. Johnson said there were hard wired smoke detectors. The fire department has found no evidence of anything supporting hard wired smoke detectors.
thanks for your defense but he was wrong there or he lied.
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