Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Firefighters in Prospect Heights kept an eye on hot spots Thursday morning after a condominium complex went up in flames and hundreds of people were left homeless. Police believe a 12-year-old child started the fire. He was possibly playing with a lighter. The fire investigation is still underway. Fire officials said it started in a single unit.
The fire triggered a massive response. Hundreds of people lost everything as they watched the flames spread, tearing through three large buildings in the 800-block of McIntosh Court. Officials said 96 units were destroyed. The hollowed-out design of the roof allowed the flames to spread unpredictably. Because of its age, the 50-year-old complex was not required to have sprinklers.
Families have been coming back to see if they can get inside but they are being turned away. Hundreds of people want answers after they watched their homes burn.Emotions ran high as residents confronted the Prospect Heights fire chief Thursday morning. Many were upset that the fire burned for so long and over the preliminary cause of the fire.
“Kids play with things all the time and that’s basically what we’re trying to get to the bottom of whether or not there was any intent and I’m not prepared to comment. It looks accidental at this time,” said Prospect Heights Police Chief Al Steffens.
“Right now we’re basically just monitoring the situation to make sure the fire doesn’t flare back up,” said Prospect Heights Fire Chief Drew Smith.
Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights and the Red Cross are working together to help hundreds of residents and their families who were forced out of their homes. The Red Cross had 100 cots delivered to the shelter at the church. They were also assisting with food and water. This is where 70 people slept last night as a result of being displaced by the fire. Some have gone to work. Others are simply trying to figure out the next step.
Many area restaurants are donating food for the folks who will be staying there. Other residents are donating clothing, baby food, all of the essentials you don’t think about when you have them. There are also comfort dogs present to help people who are having emotional difficulty.
