In a tragic incident on Wednesday, a fire erupted in the early morning hours, taking the lives of two children and two adults in West Englewood, Chicago. The fire started before 2 a.m. at a house located on the 6200 block of South Paulina Street. An 8-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy succumbed to the blaze at Comer Children’s Hospital, according to the police.
Two adults, a man and a woman, suffered severe burns and were transported to the University of Chicago Medicine, where they were later pronounced dead. One of the adults was identified as 57-year-old Reginald Lee Wilson by the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Autopsies are scheduled for Thursday to determine the exact cause of death.
Two boys, aged 14 and 16, managed to survive and are in stable condition at Comer Children’s Hospital. Authorities have not divulged the relationships among the victims involved in this distressing incident.
Cadarius Wilson, 24, witnessed the fire and took action to help those trapped inside. He was visiting a friend in the area at the time, which placed him at the scene at the “right time, right place.”
Wilson called 911 and attempted to warn the residents of the imminent danger, but he encountered a locked gate that prevented him from entering the home. He shouted to alert both the residents and neighbors about the fire. “There really wasn’t anybody on the block,” Wilson said, “The only thing I heard on the block was dogs barking.”
The brave Wilson assisted two teenage boys in escaping the house by catching them as they jumped from a window. “I told them I am not going anywhere. Y’all can jump,” Wilson assured them. “I am right here to catch y’all. I am not going to leave.” After ensuring their safety, Wilson remained with the boys, provided calm, reassurances, and reminded them to breathe steadily.
The two brothers, along with the other four victims, were transported to the hospital following the incident. Wilson humbly reflected on his actions, saying, “I wouldn’t want no one to leave me. I would want someone to stay and help me, so that’s exactly what I did.” Despite his courageous actions, Wilson does not see himself as a hero, but rather as someone acting out of love, a principle he was taught to uphold. “If I were, if that were the case, everyone would be alive right now. I was only there doing what I can and I’m grateful for the things I was able to do while I was there,” he added.
Currently, the cause of the fire is under investigation by fire officials and Wentworth Area detectives. Authorities have classified the case as an arson investigation. The community mourns the loss of those who perished and awaits further developments from the ongoing investigation.