Trailer Fire Deaths Ruled Homicides: Medical Examiner

OAK LAWN, IL -- The deaths of two men who perished in a mobile home fire have been ruled homicides, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. Oak Lawn fire crews and police responded to a fire in the Airway Mobile Home Community at 90th Street and Cicero Avenue around 1:45 a.m. Thursday, where one man was found deceased on the scene and another in full cardiac arrest. The second man passed away later in the afternoon.

The medical examiner’s report noted that both men died of thermal injuries as a result of a incendiary fire. In addition to thermal injuries, the unidentified man found deceased at the scene had sharp force injuries.

The second man identified as Randy Chabala, 59, was transferred from Advocate Christ Medical Center to Loyola University Medical Center’s burn unit in Maywood. He died Thursday afternoon from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. The medical examiner also noted superficial sharp force injuries by assault. Both deaths have been ruled homicides.