Arson investigation underway after 2 children injured, 1 critically, in Englewood fire
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An arson investigation was under way Monday afternoon after a fire sent two children to the hospital in Englewood.
Police say two people ignited and threw an object into the home to start the fire overnight. We also saw it happen ourselves, as it was all caught on video.
Police said the fire started around 11:35 p.m. Sunday -- a school night -- in a house in the 6100 block of South Carpenter Street. A man and four children were able to get out safely, but a 4-year-old boy was still inside.
Firefighters were able to rescue the 4-year-old, who was taken to the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition due to smoke inhalation. A 9-year-old boy also was taken to Comer in good condition for smoke inhalation, and is expected to make a full recovery.
As CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reported, video which was provided to CBS 2 shows two people igniting something, throwing it into the house, and running before the house goes up in flames.
We spoke over the phone with the aunt of the two boys who were injured. She asked not to be identified.
The aunt said the 9-year-old boy was doing much later better Monday, while the 4-year-old remained in critical condition.
"Right now, I'm feeling, um, I'm not OK," she said. "I don't think I'll ever be OK after this."
The fire blew out most of the windows, and crews had to board up most of the house. Planks of wood covered the front of the house, while the back was a torched, charred husk – still behind yellow crime scene tape.
As CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported, community activists have been left perplexed by the crime.
"I know there was people who were able to escape, but who would have the heart to throw a cocktail in a house?" said community activist Raul Montes.
There is a chance the people caught on the surveillance video throwing the flammable objects toward the house could answer that question.
