In the pre‑dawn hours of Thursday, a fire broke out inside a townhome on the 7000 block of North Paulina Street in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Chicago Police Department reports indicate the blaze started at approximately 4:15 a.m., and firefighters were on the scene shortly thereafter.

Victims identified

Four members of the same family were found unresponsive inside the home and were transported to a hospital where they were later pronounced dead. The victims were a 69‑year‑old woman, her 46‑year‑old daughter, a 22‑year‑old son and a 13‑year‑old grandson. The family’s dog also perished in the fire. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released the victims’ names.

Community response

Alderman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) confirmed the familial relationship among the victims, describing the loss as “really heavy.” She noted that the row of townhomes is equipped with firewalls, which helped prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent units.

Neighbor Martin Rule, who lives nearby, awoke to the sound of a helicopter and saw emergency responders gathering on the block. “I could hear people yelling, it was horrible,” Rule said. “I didn’t know the family, but it’s devastating what’s happened to them. I’m praying for the rest of their family.”

Mayor’s statement

Mayor Brandon Johnson called the incident a “devastating tragedy” on social media, expressing his sympathy for the family and the broader community. “My heart goes out to the family’s loved ones and all those in the community impacted by this devastating tragedy,” the mayor wrote. He added that his administration will remain on the ground to ensure affected residents have access to critical support and resources as the Chicago Fire Department continues its investigation.

Investigation ongoing

Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Merritt said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities at this stage, and the department is working with the police and the medical examiner’s office to determine the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

As the community mourns, neighbors gathered outside the townhome to console one another, sharing tears and prayers. The tragedy underscores the importance of fire safety measures in densely populated residential areas and the need for rapid emergency response.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.