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Baby Found Dead In Vacant Englewood Home After Fire

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A baby was found dead inside a vacant house in Englewood, after a fire was extinguished Tuesday night.

As soon as firefighters arrived on the scene in the 1400 block of West Marquette Road around 9:30 p.m., they smelled Lighter fluid, indicating the fire inside the vacant home was deliberately set.

A short time later, firefighters discovered the body of a baby estimated to be between nine months and two years of age. Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said it appeared the baby had been dead for some time, and was wrapped in a blanket or cloth bag.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office will have to determine the baby's age, gender, and the time and cause of death as part of an autopsy.

Area South Detectives were questioning three people in connection with the incident, but have not said whether those people are suspects.

Langford said the fire was intentionally set.

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