A kitchen fire in Ravenswood resulted in one death and left multiple tenants without homes
Fire officials believe it started in the kitchen, likely due to unattended cooking. The fire began on the second floor, where both men were found. Sadly, it’s unclear if smoke detectors were working in the apartment.
The man who survived said he fell asleep and didn’t hear any alarms. He woke up to a room full of smoke. If there had been a working smoke alarm, things might have turned out differently.
By Wednesday afternoon, the smell of charred wood lingered in the air. Crews were boarding up windows in the freezing cold. Six apartments were badly damaged, leaving those families without homes.
The American Red Cross was on the scene, helping residents find temporary shelter and a recovery plan. It was a tough situation for everyone involved.
Temperatures were around 6 degrees when the fire broke out, making it even harder for firefighters. The water they used to put out the flames froze quickly, creating a slippery mess.
Michele Pettit, who lives nearby, saw the flames from her window. She initially thought it was just an ambulance but quickly realized something was wrong. She watched as firefighters rushed to the scene, and within minutes, the fire spread rapidly.
It was a frightening sight, and hearing about the loss of life was heartbreaking. Everyone is hoping for the best for those affected by this tragedy.