Chicago police arrested the suspect Wednesday in connection with a garage fire, killing 54-year-old fire chief David Meyer.
Neighbors say fires are part of the trend, CBS News It has been reported Wednesday.
The Bureau of Alcohol, a Fire Investigation Bureau, supported by cigarettes, firearms and explosives, alleges that the flames began with a trash can fire.
Fire chief Meyer and his crew answered a call about the fire early Wednesday morning and managed to get it out. The veteran firefighters returned to the building and evaluated the damage that occurred when the garage roof collapsed and fatally injured him. One witness, Miriam Alonso, said the collapse occurred after the I-beam was pulled.
“The metal stuff, they [the firefighters] As they pulled it, they didn’t expect it to stick to anything, like it hit him [Meyer]like I think I hit him here,” Alonso told CBS News when he touched her neck. “That’s what we saw.”
Alonso described the scene and memory as traumatic. She also said three other garages on the same block have been on fire this year.
“He knows he didn’t think it would be out of hand, but he literally took someone’s life,” she added. (Related: “Sounds like a bomb”: Firefighters ripped a Detroit apartment after potential explosion 12)
He was taken to the hospital where he died, NBC 5 It has been reported.
“Track 29 Captain David Meyer died this morning as a result of a fire injury at West Crystal. He joined CFD in 1996. He is leaving his wife, daughter and son. Think about his family. This is a sad day for CFD and Chicago.”
Track 29 captain David Meyer died this morning as a result of injuries sustained in a fire at West Crystal. He joined CFD in 1996. He leaves his wife, daughter and son. Keep his family in your mind. This is a sad day for CFD and Chicago (Langford). pic.twitter.com/nv8bbixpc1
– Chicago Fire Media (@cfdmedia) April 23, 2025
“Our entire city will wrap our arms around family and Captain Meyer’s loved ones during this ordeal,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote on social media.
Captain Meyer was more than just a firefighter. He was the father of his beloved husband, son and father. Our entire city wraps our arms around our family and the loved ones of Captain Meyer during this ordeal. (3/3)
– Mayor Brandon Johnson (@chicagosmayor) April 23, 2025
According to CBS News, Meyer’s fire department set up bunting as an act of remembering the captain. His fellow firefighters salute the comrades as he was loaded into the ambulance.
