Overview
- Fire crews answered a residential blaze in the 6800 block of South Merrill Avenue on Saturday evening and extinguished the flames on arrival.
- Three people were hurt in the fire, with a 1-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man listed in critical condition and a 26-year-old woman treated for minor burns.
- The 1-year-old was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and both adults were transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center for care.
- Chicago police described the incident as accidental and the Chicago Fire Department is conducting an active investigation into how the fire started.
- The incident highlights everyday fire risks in homes and officials’ findings could prompt local safety reminders or changes to fire-prevention guidance.