Little Village Fire Death Toll Rises To 9 After Teen Dies

CHICAGO — Fire officials are now saying nine children — including a three-month-old baby — were killed in a fire Sunday morning during a sleepover in the Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side. The death toll rose Monday night after a teen hospitalized in critical condition died.

Firefighters were called to the 2200 block of South Sacramento Avenue around 4 a.m., according to Chicago Fire Media Affairs. Officials said many of the victims were already dead when they arrived.

Family members told WGN the victims were three-month-old Maya Almaraz; Ariel Garcia, 5; Lonni Ayala, 3; Gialonni Ayala, 5; Xavier Contreras, 11; Nathan Contreras, 13; Giovanni Ayala, 10; and Victor Mendoza, 16. The teens on life support are Adrian Hernandez, 14, and Cesar Contreras, 14.

The ninth victim has been identified as 14-year-old Cesar Contreras, according to the report.

Another teen remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.

Fire officials said there were no working smoke detectors in the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire officials said the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is assisting with the ongoing investigation, but the agency's involvement "should not be taken as an indication of foul play."

A woman coming home from work spotted the fire, called 911 and alerted others in the building by banging on doors, officials told WGN, saying the woman "saved a lot of lives."

All images courtesy of Chicago Fire Department