New details emerge in arrest of man charged with setting fire that killed Chicago fire captain
New details emerge in arrest of man charged with setting fire that killed Chicago fire captain
The man accused of setting the fire that killed veteran Chicago Fire Capt. David Meyer earlier this week will remain in jail after a detention hearing on Saturday, officials said.
CHICAGO - The man accused of setting the fire that killed veteran Chicago Fire Capt. David Meyer earlier this week will remain in jail after a detention hearing on Saturday, officials said.
What we know:
Charles Green, 44, was charged with murder in connection with the setting of the fire on Chicago’s West Side last Wednesday.
Charles Green | Chicago Police Department
Prosecutors presented evidence to keep Green detained as he awaits trial.
Chicago Fire Union Local 2 President Patrick Cleary lauded prosecutors and investigators for their work in seeking Green’s detention. Cleary said it was "pretty evident" to him that Green was responsible for the fire.
"Chicago lost a hero last week and we can never forget that," said Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward). "And know that these brave men and women put their lives on the line every single day to protect property, to protect people, to protect communities, to protect our city."
Capt. David Meyer | Chicago Fire Department
According to Cook County court documents, surveillance footage showed Green leaving the 5400 block of W. Potomac, wearing a gray sweatshirt, shortly before a fire erupted at a nearby residence on the 1200 block of N. Pine Avenue.
Green lives just 12 lots east of the Pine Avenue home, where the fire occurred in a detached garage.
He was seen in his backyard earlier, dressed in a white and light gray hoodie, light pants, and a gray skull cap. Green exited the alley, looking back toward the garage before disappearing from view.
About 38 seconds later, the footage captured what appeared to be flames and smoke emanating from the garage. Within a minute, large plumes of smoke rose from the scene.
Green was the only person seen entering or exiting the alleyway during this time, court documents say.
However, the view of the Pine Avenue garage was obstructed by a neighboring garage, leaving Green’s exact actions unclear as he passed the scene.
Eight minutes later, Green was spotted on surveillance video at a gas station just 1.5 blocks away.
Meanwhile, as Chicago fire crews battled the blaze, firefighter Meyer was assisting when the roof collapsed. The fire reignited, and firefighters were able to rescue Meyer, who was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
The origin of the fire was determined to be at the garbage cans alongside the brick wall on the north side of the garage, where Green "would have directly passed by as shown by surveillance video," court documents say.
The fire was caused from open-flame ignition, from a lighter or matches of the garbage cans that spread upward to the garage's roof, investigators said.
Green was arrested just after 12:30 p.m. on April 23, following further investigation.
Detectives from the Chicago Police Department executed a search warrant at Green's residence, where they found suspected clothing from the fire, lighter fluid, lighters, burnt pieces of paper and his phone, according to court documents.
During questioning, Green identified himself in surveillance video stills from the gas station and alleyway.
His girlfriend and a gas station clerk also positively identified him in the surveillance images to police.
Meyer's Career :
Meyer joined the department in 1996 and was most recently assigned to Truck 29. He spent most of his career serving Chicago’s West Side and was described as well-respected and a steady presence in both his family and the department.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, a son and his parents. His wife said the two had been together since they were 15 years old.
Meyer's funeral will be held on Tuesday in Niles.
What's next:
Green is due back in court on April 29.