Chicago firefighter rushes to deal with fireplace that leaves spouse and three youngsters lifeless

The spouse of a Chicago firefighter and their three youngsters have died from accidents sustained a hearth that broke out at their dwelling final week.

Walter Stewart, the firefighter, was on responsibility when the home fireplace erupted Tuesday and rushed again to his residence within the metropolis’s Montclare neighborhood to carry out CPR on his spouse, CBS Chicago reported, though he was not one of many crew members initially assigned to reply. Stewart’s title and repair position was recognized by the Chicago Hearth Fighters Union Native 2, in response to the station.

Stewart’s 7-year-old son, Ezra Stewart, was pronounced lifeless on Wednesday evening, the Prepare dinner County Medical Examiner’s workplace confirmed. His spouse, 36-year-old Summer time Day-Stewart, died on Thursday night. 

On the time, the firefighter’s two different younger youngsters, recognized by the health worker’s workplace as 2-year-old Emory Day-Stewart and 9-year-old Autumn Day-Stewart, have been hospitalized in vital situation with accidents linked to the hearth. The 2 youngsters died on Friday evening, in response to the county health worker.

Officers on the fireplace division beforehand stated that each one 4 members of Stewart’s household had suffered from smoke inhalation throughout the blaze, CBS Chicago reported. Post-mortem outcomes with definitive causes of dying for Stewart’s spouse and kids weren’t but finalized when the station revealed its newest report about the home fireplace. 

Precisely what induced the hearth to spark final Tuesday evening contained in the household’s dwelling, situated within the northwest part of Chicago, remains to be unknown and stays underneath investigation. Larry Langford, a spokesperson for the Chicago Hearth Division, instructed the Related Press that the hearth started within the dwelling’s kitchen. A spokesperson additionally instructed CBS Chicago that the hearth division is coordinating with the health worker’s workplace as they work to find out the way it occurred. 

On Friday, firefighters distributed smoke detectors and different fireplace prevention supplies to individuals residing in Stewart’s neighborhood, which CBS Chicago stated is frequent following a lethal blaze. Stewart’s household dwelling did have smoke detectors, in response to the station.

The Chicago Hearth Division has launched a fundraiser by means of its charity, known as Ignite the Spirit, to assist Stewart’s household within the wake of the tragedy. The Hearth Fighters Native 2 Union issued a press release in assist of the household.

“Each member of Native 2 and the Division mourns with our brother Walter and the Stewart household. This tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts, and we pledge our ongoing assist,” stated Jim Tracy, the president of native 2, within the assertion. “Native 2 is encouraging everybody to make a donation for Walter and the Stewart household by means of the ‘Ignite The Spirit Chicago.'”