New Details Emerge In Garage Fire That Killed Chicago Fire Captain

CHICAGO — A man accused of starting a garage fire in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood that led to the death of a Chicago Fire Department captain was ordered detained Saturday by a Cook County judge following a pretrial hearing.

Charles Green, 44, of Chicago, is facing charges of murder and arson. Prosecutors said he was identified in surveillance footage that showed him in the alley moments before the garage blaze.

Captain David Meyer, 54, a 30-year veteran of the fire department, died from injuries he suffered from the fire prosecutors say was ignited by Green.

During the early morning hours of April 23, Green resided in the 5400 block of West Potomac Avenue, about a block east of the residence in the 1200 block of North Pine Avenue where the fire started. The two homes share a common alley.

Around 3:20 a.m., the prosecutor said Green exited the backyard of his residence and walked westbound through the alley, wearing a light gray hoodie, light pants and a gray skull cap. Green was captured on surveillance video and was the only person in the alley at that time, the prosecutor said.

A few minutes before 3:30 a.m., the prosecutor said Green left the alley on to Pine Avenue. Before he reached the sidewalk, Green turned back and reentered the alley, the prosecutor said. Green then reappeared on camera, exiting the alley and looking back toward the garage on Pine Avenue.

Seconds later, after the prosecutor said Green left the alley, a flicker of light that appeared to be flames and smoke were captured on surveillance footage. A minute later, large plumes of smoke began to accumulate.

Video showed Green leaving the alley, and the prosecutor said it also showed Green was the only person in the alley at the time of the fire. The view of the Pine Avenue garage was blocked by another residence’s garage and did not show exactly what Green is accused of doing as he passed the garage, the prosecutor said.

As Green walked from the alley, the prosecutor said his face was captured on surveillance video at a gas station about a block-and-a-half away from the fire.

Just after 4 a.m., Chicago police and Chicago firefighters responded to the blaze. When they arrived, flames had engulfed the blaze. When he entered the garage, the roof collapsed on top of him, reigniting the flames. The 54-year-old fire captain was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

ATF and Office of Fire Investigation investigators later determined the fire was started from a lighter or matches in the garbage cans near the garage. The flames spread up to the roof. The prosecutor said investigators’ determinations were based on burn patterns, physical evidence and video surveillance.

A witness from the gas station identified Green as someone who frequented the gas station, the prosecutor said.

Green was arrested later in the day. By then, the prosecutor said Green had changed the clothes he was seen wearing in surveillance video. Chicago police detectives executed a search warrant at Green’s home. The prosecutor said they recovered Green’s suspected clothing from the fire, lighter fluid, lighters, burnt pieces of paper and Green’s phone.

Preliminary testing showed traces of accelerant on Green’s clothing, but more testing is required, the prosecutor said. Green is also said to have denied starting the fire, but he did admit being the only person to walk down the alley past the garage on Pine Avenue. The prosecutor said Green also identified himself from still images.

In addition, Green’s girlfriend also made a positive identification. The gas station employee also identified Green in the stills and from a photo array, the prosecutor said.

Green was denied release. He is due back in court April 28 at the Maywood Courthouse.