In the quiet suburb of Stickney, Illinois, a tragic fire unfolded, resulting in the death of one individual and the hospitalization of two others yesterday, September 27. With the combined efforts of police and fire officials, the investigation continues into the cause of the deadly fire, captured on video by witnesses who can't shake the harrowing scene they had witnessed.
At around 3 p.m., an RV at the Gas N Wash station near the intersection of Pershing and Cicero became engulfed in flames, a sight that quickly grabbed the attention of Stickney Police Department Chief James Sassetti according to ABC 7 Chicago. The flames were so intense that Sassetti's patrol officer was unable to approach the vehicle.
The Stickney Fire Department Chief, Jeff Boyajian, arrived to a scene of chaos and devastation as the RV fire spread to the top of the gas station canopy, as per ABC 7 Chicago. Boyajian recounts discovering two injured individuals outside the burning RV. Upon extinguishing the fire, emergency crews found a third person dead inside the vehicle, as CBS News Chicago reported.
With few answers, witnesses of the horrifying event are left in shock and confusion. "I really just saw vehicles near it, so… People were away, but the vehicle was still next to the RV, so you know with the pump - and then next to the pump, there's a vehicle," shared one witness with CBS News Chicago. "I just saw the smoke in the air. It might explode, you know? It's scary."
The owner of the torched Covington LX recreational vehicle remains unknown, with authorities still waiting for a positive identification on the person who died in the fire according to CBS News Chicago.
In an effort to piece together this tragic incident, investigators turn to surveillance footage from the gas station and nearby businesses that could offer insight into the cause of the fire as reported by CBS News Chicago. Currently, the origin of the fire remains unclear, and the community is left with a lingering sense of shock and disbelief.
For those injured, they would recount their harrowing experience to the Stickney Fire Department Chief, sharing that they were outside the RV when the fire erupted, per ABC 7 Chicago.
As the investigation unfolds, the suburban community of Stickney reels from the tragic events that have taken place. The responsibility falls on the investigators to determine the cause and bring closure to grieving family members and friends of the deceased individual.
