Balloon release, prayer ceremony held for victims of deadly West Side Chicago fire
A balloon release and prayer ceremony took place Monday evening at the scene of last week's fatal fire in the Austin neighborhood.
The fire, believed to have been set intentionally, claimed the lives of four people, including a pregnant mother and her 5-year-old son.
Chicago police said they have no one in custody. But Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) said police know who they're looking for, and an arrest is only a matter of time.
The heavily damaged building, with all the windows and doors boarded up, is now where people will gather to mourn on Monday evening. Community leaders and the victim's family members will attend to honor the memories of their loved ones.
About 140 firefighters responded to the scene early Thursday morning. At least eight ladders were needed to rescue people inside the building on North Avenue near Laramie.
Three members of the same family died, including Regina Henry, 32, who was three months pregnant, along with her 5-year-old son Jacian. Henry's sister, Destiny, 28, was found dead in the rubble the following day.
At last check, Destiny's 4-year-old son remains hospitalized on oxygen with a head injury.
Editor of the Austin-based newspaper, The Voice, 76-year-old Brad Cummings, also died in the fire.
This fire also displaced more than two dozen people.
"Justice has got to be done," said the Rev. George Smith, a cousin of the Henry family victims. "The monster who did this has got to be dealt with. We're going to work with the police. We're going to do all that we can."
Ald. Mitts said the fire was started by someone after a domestic incident. Relatives of the victims said someone threw Molotov cocktails through the windows before the fire started. Some neighbors said they heard gunshots before the fire broke out.
Mitts called on local faith leaders and the community to come together for the balloon release and prayer ceremony, which was held at 6 p.m.
"I want to bring everyone together and let us grieve, support one another, bring some unity, and no one person is out here alone," said Mitts. "We understand the devastation that has impacted our community, and it's very heartbreaking."
