1-Year-Old Girl Dies, 8 Others Injured In West Lawn House Fire
CHICAGO (CBS)-- A fire broke out at a West Lawn home overnight, killing a toddler and injuring nine others.
Firefighters were called around midnight and police said the fire started in the attic of the house.
A 1-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the Christ Hospital. The victims range in age from 5-months-old to 40 years old.
Neighbor Selena Ledezna described what she saw as the family tried to escape.
"They were really scared, " Ledezna said. "The daughter was half awake. She looked lifeless when they were carrying her out. It was a terrifying experience."
CBS 2 has learned the victims are a tight-knit family, with two brothers and their loved ones living just a floor apart.
Police said fire was likely accidental, but the exact cause is unknown at this time.
According to Chicago fire officials, the house had working smoke detectors only on the first floor and could not find working smoke detectors on the second floor. The family was able to escape before it was too late.
This is a developing story.
