Two Charged With Arson In South Shore Fire
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Two residents have been charged with arson after an extra-alarm fire started in their South Shore apartment building Friday night, causing a roof to collapse and displacing ten people, including five children.
Danielle Gardner, 21, and Dwayne Kohler, 27, both of the 8000 block of South Marquette Avenue, were each charged with one felony count of residential arson, police said.
The fire started about 6:40 p.m. Friday in a two-story apartment building in the 8000 block of South Marquette Avenue and was elevated to a two-alarm blaze when the roof collapsed, Fire Media Affairs said.
A mayday response indicating firefighters are in distress was called after the roof collapsed, but all firefighters were located unharmed, the fire department said.
There were no injuries but five adults and five children who lived in the building were displaced, according to the fire department.
The blaze was controlled by 7:30 p.m., the fire department said.
Gardner and Kohler were arrested Friday after being accused of soaking a garbage can full of debris with lighter fluid, setting it on fire and placing it against the building, police said.
The girlfriend and boyfriend set fire to the building after arguing with family members, police said. Kohler suffered facial injuries as family members attempted to detain him for police.
He was initially taken to South Shore Hospital where he was treated and released, police said. Kohler was then transferred to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
Both are expected Sunday in bond court.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
