Three Children Die In Overnight Fire

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 3, 2008 4:30PM

Three children, Jordan Robinson, 8, Cory Robinson, 3, and Cameron Robinson, 1, were killed in suburban Summit from an overnight fire. Mother Ebony Tiggs, 25, was taken to Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to good condition. The fire started shortly before midnight at Tiggs' apartment in the 7400 block of West 63rd Place, part of the Robert Allison housing development. Preliminary reports indicate a candle Tiggs fell asleep without extinguishing might be the cause. Tiggs jumped from a second-story window but the fire was fully involved and the children were still trapped inside when firefighters arrived only six minutes after the initial call.

A neighbor, Terry Hanna, said he called 911 when he saw flames in the window and then tried to fight the fire with other neighbors.

"I ran over here. There were people trying to get the water hose going. When I arrived, I tried to do the same – help them with the fire hose, because we knew kids were in there. At that time, there was only fire going," Hanna said.

"I tried to go in. I tried to go in, but the flames were right in the door, and I couldn't get in," Hanna added. "Now it's too late."

Summit Assistant Fire Chief Richard Gallaga said, “[The fire] quickly got to the second floor. On our arrival, we initiated a quick attack with water and once we suppressed it, the rescue crews got into the second-floor bedroom where the kids were found." The rescue crew said the children were “unresponsive and not breathing," according to Gallaga. Members of the crew who found the children are scheduled to undergo counseling.

Aside from the candles, investigators are also looking into the possibility that faulty wiring could be responsible: a neighbor just two doors down from Tiggs was forced out of her apartment by an electrical fire. The housing development is also scheduled to be demolished and replaced by housing units for seniors and residents claim that the Housing Authority of Cook County, who manages the complex, have let thing slide.

"They haven't had maintenance in them like they're supposed to," said Shannon Williams, who like many residents interviewed Wednesday morning said she hears a "popping" noise every time she flips a light on.

Gallaga says these claims will be investigated. "All precautions are going to be taken—everything's going to be looked at. All electrical panels will be inspected. Safety is our main concern." Reports indicate the building had working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the time of the fire. [Trib, S-T, CBS 2]

Still image taken from WGN video