Share and Follow
A Chicago man accused of starting a deadly fire on the city’s North Side, which claimed the life of a firefighter, is scheduled to appear in court this Saturday.
Sheaves Slate, 27, faces charges of murder and arson related to the blaze in Rogers Park. The fire erupted Monday morning on the 1700 block of West North Shore Avenue.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Tragically, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Michael Altman, 32, succumbed to injuries sustained after falling into the building’s basement when the first floor gave way around 11:30 a.m. that day. Altman passed away on Tuesday.
Authorities apprehended Slate on Wednesday in the 800 block of West Irving Park Road. The ABC7 I-Team reported that Slate has a previous record involving drug-related offenses and retail theft.
The Rogers Park community is rallying around the Altman family, offering support and solidarity as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.
Members of the public lined the streets to pay their respects as Altman’s body was taken from the medical examiner’s office to an Oak Lawn funeral home on Friday.
Altman, a fourth-generation CFD firefighter, was a husband, and a father to a young child. His wife is pregnant with their second child.
Reilly’s Daughter, an Oak Lawn bar, is selling $25 t-shirts, with all of the proceeds going to the Altman family.
And at the United Center on Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks and fans took a moment of silence to honor Altman.
Investigators have not said how they identified the suspect or why he is accused of setting the fire.
Altman’s funeral is set for Friday at Saint Rita of Cascia at 10 a.m. The visitation is scheduled for Thursday, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the same location.
ABC7 will have live coverage of Altman’s funeral on our air and wherever you stream on Friday morning.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.