Fire Kills 10-Year-Old Girl, Critically Injures Man in Chicago

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 10-year-old girl tragically died and an 18-year-old man was left in critical condition after an early morning fire in Chicago's Washington Heights neighborhood. The fire started around 3:30 a.m. at a residence near 104th and Green streets, according to police. Firefighters found the young girl inside the building, and she was later pronounced dead at Roseland Community Hospital. The man was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in critical condition. Two other occupants were able to exit the home uninjured, but the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Fires that result in loss of life, especially involving children, are devastating events that deeply impact local communities. This incident raises concerns about fire safety and prevention efforts in the Washington Heights area, which has faced challenges with aging infrastructure and economic disparities.

The details

According to the Chicago Police Department, the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. at a residence near the intersection of 104th and Green streets in the Washington Heights neighborhood. Firefighters responding to the scene found a 10-year-old girl inside the building, and she was rushed to Roseland Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. An 18-year-old man was also discovered and transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in critical condition. Two other occupants, a man and a woman, were able to exit the home uninjured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities.

• The fire started around 3:30 a.m. on April 13, 2026.

What’s next

Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether any safety violations or other factors contributed to the tragic loss of life.