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ALBANY PARK — Tenants of an Albany Park building were told to evacuate Monday after one child died and another was hospitalized due to high levels of carbon monoxide, officials said.
At about 5:20 a.m. Monday, fire and police responded to a call of someone not breathing at 3024 W. Gunnison St. Once inside the three-story brick building, firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide, said Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford.
“Every floor had high carbon monoxide. It was spread throughout the entire building. Police and fire went around to each unit to wake people up and told them to get out,” Langford said.
Jayrinne Sequeida, 10, was taken to Swedish Hospital for treatment where she was later pronounced dead, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A 12-year-old was also hospitalized at Swedish Hospital in serious condition, officials said.
It’s unclear whether there were carbon monoxide detectors in the building or what the source of the carbon monoxide is, and until investigators can determine its origin, tenants will not be able to return, Langford said.
An orange Department of Buildings sign posted Monday on the building’s front door read, “Notice: Off Limits—Do Not Enter” and “Entire Building (Dangerous + Hazardous Conditions).” The building remained vacant Monday afternoon, and a rear window was open in a second-story apartment.
Messages left with the building department were not immediately returned.
“No one can get into the building right now as far as I know. I’m pretty sure they’re trying to find family members or whatever else they can do,” said Tina Carroll, who lives two doors down from the building. “This is the worst day of their lives, I’m pretty sure.”
Initial attempts to reach the tenants were unsuccessful.
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez’s (33rd) office is trying to get in touch with tenants to connect them with resources if they need, her staff said.
Carbon monoxide monitors are triggered upon detection of even very low levels of the odorless, colorless gas, Langford said.
“It’s going to trip the alarm real early, allowing you to be able to just get up and walk out,” he said.
“This death was totally preventable. Carbon monoxide should never kill anybody if you have a detector,” Langford said.
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