A tragic incident in Chicago's Little Village has claimed the life of a man following a fire at a homeless encampment. According to a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, the unnamed man, estimated to be around 40 years old, was extracted from the rubble of the encampment. It was located in the 2600 block of South Pulaski Road, where the blaze commenced late Monday night at approximately 11 p.m.
The fire department arrived at the scene and, using a deck gun, they squelched the fire "within 60 seconds," as reported by fire spokesperson Larry Langford in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. Despite the prompt response, the man had already sustained severe burns. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his death was pronounced roughly half an hour following his admission.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but Chicago fire officials later said they believe it was accidental. Area Four detectives are investigating the circumstances of the man's death, as per CBS News Chicago.
