Thread: Illegal Alien Family gets 6 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT

Family reaches $6 mil. settlement in Rogers Park fire

November 13, 2007


BY SHAMUS TOOMEY Staff Reporter

The families of six children killed in a Rogers Park fire touched off by a candle last year reached a $6 million settlement with the owners and managers of the apartment building, attorneys announced this morning.

A smoke detector had been removed from the third-floor apartment at 7706. N. Marshfield and one in the hallway never sounded, said John Perconti, attorney for the families.


» Click to enlarge image

Balloons, cards, stuffed animals and various other objects are placed in front of the Ramirez family home in Rogers Park after the fire in 2006.
(John J. Kim/Sun-Times file)

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WHO removed the smoke detector? If it was the family to prevent smoke from the candle setting it off, they are liable themselves. Their electricity had been shut off for what reason?

Everyone in their right minds knows never to leave candles unattended! Where were the adults? It only says 6 children died.

Why would they be awarded $6 million for their own negligence?

This story doesn't sound right.

I agree, and it makes me more than angry that they were allowed to collect 6 million dollars when they are responsible for the fire being set. The first thought I had when I read the original story was that THEY REMOVED THEM BECAUSE the candles probably kept setting off the smoke detectors. Again, their fault. I'll see if I can did up the original ariticle I think this happened last year.

The family used candles to light the apartment, and one touched off the blaze, officials ruled.

It sounds like they are to blame. Also who took out the smoke detecter inside the apartment? I couldn't find where they are "illegal". But if they are, they shouldn't have the right to sue. I am sorry for their loss.

Miguelina here's the original story. It sounds like 20 people were living there

Six Children Killed In Rogers Park Fire
Two Children Are Still in Critical Condition
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The STNG Wire contributed to this report.

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Six children died Sunday morning after fire swept through their crowded Rogers Park apartment. An adult and three other children were also injured.

As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, it was a heartbreaking scene Sunday morning.

Neighbors say they saw children crying for help just after midnight. Those who escaped the apartment building held a blanket out and begged the children to jump from the third floor window.

"They said please help us, do something," said resident Marc Barksdale. "They refused to jump."

Firefighters carried out eight people, but six were children who did not survive. Those among the deceased include, 14-year-old Vanessa Ramirez, 12-year-old Eric, 10-year-old Suzette, 6-year-old Idaly, 3-year-old Kevin, and Escarlet Ramos, a 3-year-old girl who was staying overnight.

"I know those kids," said neighbor Reginald Washington. "It's sad they passed away."

The mother of 10 children, Agosta Ramirez, did get out with her three-month-old daughter, two of whom, ages 18 and 19, did not live at the apartment. Firefighters say the apartment didn't have electricity and the family burned candles for light. The fire started near the front door, trapping the victims.
"They were so poor, they used candles—so sad, a tragedy," said neighbor Ana Lugo.

"This is the largest multiple fatal fire in the city in years—I mean it's children," said Raymond Orozco Chicago Fire Commissioner.

Members of Good News Church on the North Side walked over and prayed for the family. Neighbors placed flowers and toys at the scene. A friend says the parents are deeply suffering.

"They are destroyed; they can't believe it," said Martina Rocha, the children's godmother. "They just cry and cry."

The fire broke out about 12:20 a.m. in a third floor apartment in a large apartment building at 7706 N. Marshfield Ave., according to Fire Media Director Larry Langford.

The fire was contained to the third floor apartment.

Al Tillman ran inside and got one of the children. "I ran past the fire and heard a child yelling to the left and I ran to the bedroom and carried the little child out of there and gave them to the paramedics. Police tried to lock me up, told me I can't go back. I was just trying to help," Tillman said.

Fire Commissioner said rescue crews were on the scene within three minutes. They broke through the roof and windows to try to reach the children.

When firefighters first arrived they saw one child at a third floor window, Langford said. Truck No. 25 extended its main ladder with a firefighter at the tip and rescued that child, he said. That child was one of the survivors from the blaze. At the same time, the primary search team went in through the front door of the building and quickly found five children together in the front area of the apartment where the fire started, Langford added.

Neighbors said firefighters carried the children out of the apartment building and laid them out in a makeshift triage on the sidewalk in front of the Stephen F. Gale Academy, the neighborhood elementary school.

Witnesses saw paramedics performing CPR on the children outside of the school.

"(There were) a total of 10 removals from this fire -- nine children and one adult. Six of the children were in cardiac arrest. We were just notified that five of the children died in area hospitals," Orozco said. A sixth died later Sunday.

Ten ambulances were sent to the scene. Orozco said although the common areas of the building had working smoke detectors the apartment itself did not.

Orozco emphasized that every home should have a working smoke detector and said residents who do not have one can get one from any firehouse in Chicago. "We need your help. We're doing everything we can to get the message out about smoke detectors," Orozco said. "Help us get that message out."

Witness LaTonya Rodgers said, "Especially when it involve(s) kids, you get emotional. I was hurt. I was clinging on my daughter every time they brought a kid out. It hit home. It could have been me."

The apartment had been without electricity for at least one month and the family had been using candles, according to Langford. Fire officials were reluctant Sunday morning to attribute the fire to the candles, as investigators from the Office of Fire Investigations and the police Bomb and Arson Unit were investigating the fire.

"What do you say?" said Orozco. "There's nothing you can say. It's been the worst in a long time. The only thing you can do is just pray for these poor people."

Witnesses report rescues were made by firefighters and civilians alike at the half-block long, multi-family red brick three-story apartment building. Witnesses said a neighborhood man ran up three flights of stairs and burst into the third floor apartment, where he rescued one child.

The American Red Cross was on the scene to provide clothing, food, assistance with shelter and counseling to affected residents of the building, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Martha Dittmar.

Early this morning, 40-year-old Agosta Ramirez, and her 3-month old baby were taken to Thorek Memorial Hospital for evaluation; they have since been released.

Two children remain hospitalized. One child is in critical condition at University of Chicago Hospital and one child is listed in critical condition at Loyola Medical Center.


(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Can't we the citizens just sue Mexico for pain, suffering and damages bestowed upon us by their "discards." I'm so sick of them exporting their problems. WAKE UP!!!!

Being poor and having 10 children is being irresponsible, especially if you don't have the resources to take care of them.

My heart breaks every time I hear of a child's death. In this case, too many people in one apartment and no working smoke detector is negligence on the part of the parents. 2 adults plus 10 children around candles is criminal on behalf of the adults. Their being legal or illegal is irrelevent in this case.

I sincerely hope the company appeals.

Originally Posted by wilma1

Can't we the citizens just sue Mexico for pain, suffering and damages bestowed upon us by their "discards." I'm so sick of them exporting their problems. WAKE UP!!!!

that's an idea. The landlords get what they deserve on this. Might put the fear in other landlords, if they don't want to pay huge legal fees and court decisions. If I read that, my properties would be cleared and I mean NOW.

Originally Posted by butterbean

The family used candles to light the apartment, and one touched off the blaze, officials ruled.

It sounds like they are to blame. Also who took out the smoke detecter inside the apartment? I couldn't find where they are "illegal". But if they are, they shouldn't have the right to sue. I am sorry for their loss.

Its CHICAGO, you ALWAYS HAVE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES. Here's your clue:

The Ramirez family, who came to Chicago from Mexico for a better life, had no power in their apartment. They were struggling financially, and ComEd had shut off their electricity the May before the tragedy.

Chicago Newspapapers rarely if ever give the status.

It is terrible what they did to these poor little kids then to paid for it is even worse !

AND WHERE WERE THE ADULTS ? Seems they left the kids to burn while they escaped .

I think they should have been put into prison for child neglect and endangerment .

The reason they probably turned out the lights is because they stopped paying rent .

If we ever have a revolution, I hope the first ones locked up in a cell in Cuba are liberal scummy trial lawyers .

Sadly though from the actions or inactions of the American people it will be us who are imprisoned !