Jail Officials Think Fire That Killed Detainee May Have Been Caused By 'Lit Wick'

CHICAGO — A Cook County Jail detainee died last Thursday after a fire in his cell, Cook County Sheriff’s officials said.

Around 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, correctional officers in the residential treatment unit responded to a cell on Tier 5A, that housed Martinez Duncan, 24, and his cellmate. Officers extinguished the fire and removed Duncan and his cellmate from their cell. Both men were walking under their own power when they were escorted to a separate area to be examined by medical staff. While inside the holding area, officers said Duncan became unresponsive.

Medical staff performed lifesaving measures and Duncan was transported by Chicago Fire Department to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The sheriff’s office located and notified Duncan’s family.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, correctional officers believe one of the men acquired a lit toilet-paper wick commonly used to smoke illegal drugs. Officials said it appears to have started the fire.

The cause and manner of death are pending the Cook County Medical Examiner’s autopsy and toxicology results.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office immediately requested an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force to investigate any potential criminal behavior by staff.

The Sheriff’s Office Custodial Investigations Unit is conducting a separate investigation into potential criminal behavior by other individuals in custody in connection with the incident.

The Sheriff’s Office of Professional Review has also initiated a separate administrative investigation to determine whether there were any violations of Sheriff’s Office policy in connection with this incident.

Duncan was ordered to Cook County Jail custody on Nov. 13, 2024, on multiple aggravated battery charges for allegedly stabbing a family member and a responding Chicago Police officer.