Charles Green appears in court, charged with murder, arson after Chicago Fire Department Captain David Meyer dies in Austin fire
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — The man accused of setting the West Side fire that killed Chicago Fire Department Captain David Meyer appeared before a judge Saturday.

Investigators said Charles Green started a trash bin fire that ignited a garage Wednesday in the Austin neighborhood. That garage collapsed, killing Captain Meyer.

A Cook County judge ordered that Green remain in custody. In court, prosecutors said he was a convicted felon who was a danger to the community.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Chicago firefighters packed the courtroom Saturday afternoon.

Green has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated arson for allegedly lighting a fire in a trash bin that investigators said was the cause of the garage fire.

The firefighter’s widow, who attended the hearing, left court without comment.

“They’re broken up,” Chicago firefighters union president Patrick Cleary said. “I mean, they lost a father and a husband. It’s understandable. It’s horrendous.”

On Friday, Chicago police confirmed that Green, a 44-year-old resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon hours after the fire.

Firefighters were called the fire at about 4:03 a.m. Wednesday in the 1200-block of Pine Avenue. The Office of Fire Investigations said the fire was started by someone intentionally igniting the contents of a trash bin.

During Saturday’s hearing, prosecutors said video footage captured Green walking down an alley that connects his West Potomac Avenue home to where the fire occurred Wednesday around 3:30 a.m. They said a security camera captured Green near the garbage cans next to a garage before smoke and flames appeared only seconds later.

Captain Meyer was among the firefighters who were called to fight the blaze. The veteran firefighter died after the garage roof collapsed on him, reigniting the fire. He was rushed to an area hospital where he later died.

The assistant state’s attorney on the case did not give a motive for the arson, but said in court “setting a fire is inherently dangerous. It spreads quickly… but it can also be deadly as it was in this case.”

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, along with 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez, attended the hearing in support of the Meyer family.

They’re broken up… they lost a father and a husband. It’s understandable. It’s horrendous.

Patrick Cleary, Chicago firefighters union president

“The court system is not a system unto itself. It has a very real impact on our communities,” Ald. Lopez said.

When investigators arrested Green later in the day Wednesday, they recovered lighters, lighter fluid, burnt paper and the clothes Green was wearing when he was recorded by several security cameras. Authorities said that clothing preliminarily tested positive for accelerants.

Green has denied any involvement in setting the fire. A witness, along with Green’s girlfriend, identified him in the surveillance video.

Prosecutors said Green is a convicted felon with five prior convictions dating back to the 1990s. According to court records, he already had a warrant for arrest issued for failure to appear in court for a retail theft case.

Green returns to court next week on the same day family and friends, Chicago firefighters and the city will say a tearful goodbye to Captain Meyer.

Public visitation for Captain Meyer will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Malec and Sons Funeral Home in Norwood Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

The funeral service follows Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Saint John Brebeuf Church in Niles.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Live: Trump olds Cabinet meeting amid tariff talks, flooding

Live Coverage: Trump Holds Cabinet Meeting During Tariff Negotiations and Flooding Crisis

() President Donald Trump is holding a Cabinet meeting Tuesday amid more…
Florida rescue teams aid Texas flood disaster recovery

Rescue teams from Florida help with recovery efforts in Texas flood disaster

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida is dispatching water rescue teams to Texas…
Teddi Mellencamp's new lover finally named amid her cancer battle

Teddi Mellencamp reveals the identity of her new partner during her fight against cancer

Teddi Mellencamp’s new romance is blossoming as she bravely battles stage four…
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza attack as ceasefire deal hammered out

Five Israeli soldiers die in Gaza assault while truce agreement is being negotiated

A senior Israeli official said that 80-90% of the details had been…
Noem asks followers to choose favorite portrait of her as cowgirl

Noem requests supporters to select their preferred cowgirl portrait of her

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is asking for an art-selecting assist, calling…
2 men arrested in connection to deadly Macclenny double shooting

2 men taken into custody for involvement in fatal shooting incident in Macclenny

The two men are accused of shooting and killing Devin “DJ” Powers…
Trash piles up around Philadelphia as city worker strike reaches 1 week

Trash piles up around Philadelphia as city worker strike reaches 1 week

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Piles of trash overflowed…
Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters faces possible prosecution after supporting banned Palestine Action

Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters faces possible prosecution after supporting banned Palestine Action

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Former Pink Floyd songwriter…