Even though investigators have yet to determine if the Loop high-rise fire that killed six people was an accident or arson, Cook County’s chief medical examiner said Wednesday he believes it was deliberately set and ruled the deaths homicides.
Dr. Edmund Donoghue said there was “no plausible reason” other than arson for the traces of gasoline that were found in the 12th floor storage closet where the deadly fire started.
“In this case we think someone went into that room, spread gasoline and ignited it,” Donoghue said. “This was not some kind of accident or bad housekeeping.”
Police said Wednesday it was far too early in their investigation to reach such a sweeping conclusion about the Oct. 17 fire at the County Administration Building at 69 W. Washington St.
Reaction to the ruling again showed the deep divisions within the agencies involved in the investigation. Chicago police and federal investigators are leaning away from arson, while the Chicago Fire Department and prosecutors have taken the opposite track.
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Compiled from RedEye news services.
