Extra Alarm Crestwood Condo Blaze Injures 4, Kills 15 Cats

CRESTWOOD, IL — A fire ripped through a 12-unit condominium building late Wednesday afternoon in Crestwood, leaving the building uninhabitable, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out around 5 p.m. in a Carriage Manor condominium building at 5700 W. 128th Street. When the Crestwood firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed in flames.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but according to neighbors on neighborhood social media, an explosion was heard right before the fire broke out.

Assistant Fire Chief Kevin McAuliffe, of the Crestwood Fire Department, said the possibility of an explosion before the fire erupted is being investigated. Drugs or a drug-making operation do not appear to be involved.

“We’re working with the state fire marshal and ATF,” McAuliffe said. “[ATF comes] in with the state when we need them, considering the amount of damage there was.”

One adult resident was taken to Palos Community Hospital in critical condition; three others were taken to area hospital in good condition. Four refused medical treatment, McAuliffe said.

At least eight of the 12 households in the condominium building requested housing assistance from the Red Cross. The building has been declared uninhabitable.

The extra-alarm blaze drew assists from Oak Lawn, Alsip, Palos Heights, Midlothian, Chicago Ridge, Bridgeview, and Homer Glen fire departments, and the Palos and North Palos Fire Protection Districts.

In addition, 15 cats perished in the blaze. The cats – Poncho, Charlotte, Dustin, Gracie, Jude, Niko, Chiquita, Chase, Peach, Pumpkin, Polly, Bella, Scone, Duckie and May – belonged to Jack Aguilar and Stephanie Ramirez.

Aguilar and Ramirez both work at South Suburban Humane Society in Mattesson. The couple, who are engaged, were at work when the fire broke out. Colleagues said some cats had been adopted and/or being fostered by the couple after an extended kitten season. They lost everything in the fire, including their engagement rings.

“They’re two of the most genuinely amazing people I know,” SSHS community engagement director Mika Carten said. “They’ve had rough road this year … nobody deserves this.”

A GoFundMe campaign, “Rebuild Hope for Jack and Stephanie,” has been set up by coworkers to assist the couple in the coming days and months.

The Crestwood condominium was one of several that broke out in the Chicago region Wednesday evening, which had been experiencing gusty winds and snow squalls throughout the day.