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CHICAGO (WLS) — Family and friends are expected to gather on Monday night to remember their lost loved ones and continue to push for the arrest of the person or people responsible for a deadly West Side fire.
A vigil is planned Monday for 4 people killed by possible arson in a North Avenue apartment building in Austin, Chicago. The fire displaced dozens.
The fire took the lives of four people, including three from the same family, early Thursday morning. Sisters Destiny and Gina Brown Henry were killed, along with Gina’s 5-year-old son, Jayceon. Brad Cummings, 76, also died.
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The fire broke out in a 24-unit, three story building. The blaze trapped many inside, forcing some to jump from their windows to get out.
Some people who live in the neighborhood reported hearing gunshots before seeing the fire.
“Apparently, there was some shooting outside first, and then that’s when someone throw a Molotov bombs,” said 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts.
Mitts said she has been told that the fire was the result of a domestic dispute between two men.
But while there has been a lot of speculation regarding who or what led to the fire breaking out, police are not saying much. CPD confirmed they are conducting an arson investigation but made it clear that no arrests have been made.
Rev. George Smith Jr., a cousin of the Henry sisters, spoke out ahead of Monday’s balloon release.
“When you see the building, first thing you think about is their last minutes and how could this have happened,” Smith said. “I thank God for the time we had with them, but I hurt for the time that was taken from us… There’s a $5,000 reward. We hope to apprehend him. This monster cannot walk freely the way they have been.”
That $5,000 reward is being offered by the Leaders Network, a coalition of faith and community leaders on Chicago’s West Side.
The Red Cross said the massive blaze displaced over two dozen people.
Some of those faith leaders, along with Mitts, are expected to be among those present at Monday’s vigil and balloon release, which will start around 6 p.m.
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