Woman killed, child injured in arson attack on Bridgeport apartment

CHICAGO - A woman was killed, and a child was injured after someone intentionally set their South Side apartment on fire early Saturday morning. 

The Chicago Fire Department responded to a blaze at a two-story row house in Bridgeport at approximately 2:21 a.m. 

Chicago police said a 54-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were inside a home in the 3100 block of South Green Street when an unknown male offender threw "an incendiary device" through the apartment window. 

The woman was pronounced dead on the scene. She was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Charnette Walker. 

The child was transported to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. 

Charnette's daughter, Charquandra, spoke with FOX 32 and said her mother's home was set on fire with her daughter inside, in retaliation for ending a bad relationship hours earlier. 

She said an argument broke out between her and her ex-boyfriend before he threatened her. 

"I just got tired and broke up with him. I didn't want to be with him no more. I wanted to come back home with my mom and daughter and he did this to me," Charquandra said. 

Neighbors brought their mattress outside to help Charquandra's mother escape the fire, but relatives said she was too scared to jump after having knee surgery. She later died after being trapped inside. 

No arrests have been reported, but police said they are speaking with a person of interest. 

The arson unit is investigating.