Heartbreak in Humboldt Park (60639) – Man Charged in Chicago Apartment Fire That Killed 4 – INVESTIGATION UNFOLDING

Humboldt Park A quiet Chicago neighborhood has been left reeling after a devastating apartment fire took four lives including that of a pregnant woman and agents now say the blaze was intentionally set On Tuesday morning administrators approved that -year-old Darrell Hunter has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and arson in connection with the July inferno that ripped through a three-story residential building in Humboldt Park Credit ChiWatchdog The fire which broke out just before a m on the block of North Keystone Avenue fast engulfed the structure trapping residents in upper-floor units Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly an hour before gaining control Four people died including -year-old Yesenia Morales who was eight months pregnant Three others sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalized Key Facts LATEST Man charged with murder in fatal apartment fire Humboldt Park Chicago IMPACT killed including pregnant woman others injured OFFICIAL SOURCE We believe this fire was intentionally set CPD Superintendent Snelling ACTION Residents urged to analysis unsafe living conditions or suspicious activity Investigators allege that Hunter who reportedly had a prior domestic dispute with one of the casualties poured accelerant in the building s stairwell cutting off escape routes Surveillance footage and witness testimony led to his arrest late Monday night This was a deliberate senseless act of violence that destroyed multiple lives and shattered a neighborhood mentioned Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling As grief turns to outrage city leaders are calling for increased protections for tenants in multi-family housing and faster fire safety code enforcement A region vigil is planned for Thursday night as families mourn the casualties and demand answers Hyperlocal Impact Precise Location Humboldt Park block of North Keystone Ave near North Avenue Pulaski Rd Public Connection They were good people She was about to be a mom We re all shaken Attribution Luis Fernandez neighbor and owner of Fernandez Grocery Sole Angle WHY THIS MATTERS NOW The Humboldt Park tragedy is the third fatal apartment fire in Chicago this year and highlights ongoing concerns about tenant safety and domestic violence-linked arson The suspect had reportedly violated an order of protection earlier this year a detail critics say signals systemic failure in both housing oversight and judicial enforcement The happening is prompting urgent calls from aldermen to review fire code compliance in older multi-unit buildings especially those with outdated fire escapes and alarm systems Activists are also demanding a citywide domestic violence early intervention task force noting that this tragedy might have been preventable Predicament Response IMMEDIATE MATERIALS Chicago Fire Victim Relief Fund - cfvrf org Domestic Violence Hotline - - - OFFICIAL GUIDANCE If you re facing threats in your home contact law enforcement or a local shelter promptly Attribution Michelle Washington Director Chicago Office of Crisis Management Update Log AM CPD releases mugshot of Darrell Hunter bond hearing scheduled for Thursday PM Casualties identities validated by healthcare examiner s office PM Alderman Maldonado calls exigency safety meeting for th Ward residents PM Public vigil to be held Thursday at Keystone Cortland at PM