Introduction to the Incident
Harry Walker was in his backyard when he heard police and fire sirens racing toward his street in the North Park neighborhood on the Northwest Side Tuesday afternoon. Walker came to the front of his house to see what was happening and saw smoke coming from a top-floor apartment in the 5200 block of North Bernard Street. “There was a lot of smoke coming out of the windows in the front room,” said Walker, 75. “It looked bad.”
The Fire and Its Aftermath
Firefighters were called to the fire about 1:30 p.m. and found Sallina Sareth, a 19-year-old woman with disabilities, dead inside the unit, according to neighbors, the Chicago Fire Department and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Firefighters rescued a man, whose age wasn’t known, from inside, fire officials said. He was taken in fair condition to Stroger Hospital.
Still & Box on the 5200 block of N. Bernard has been struck out. There was a yellow transport to Stroger and sadly, one DOA at the scene. The fire is under Investigation; no further info. pic.twitter.com/UaFxjrVS15
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) May 13, 2025
## Reaction from the Community
Relatives of Sareth gathered outside the apartment building Tuesday evening. A woman was crying. “Let me see my girl,” she said as police and fire investigators walked in and out of the building. “I’m heartbroken for them,” Walker said. “The loss of life, wherever you’re from, is tragic, and the loss of a young life, of course, is more tragic for them.”
A Chicago Fire Department inspector investigates a fire Tuesday in a top-floor unit in North Park.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
## Neighborly Support
It wasn’t immediately known who lived in the building, but Walker said they were a “very nice family.” “I spoke briefly to them and said that I was praying for them, and if there’s anything I could do, we would do it,” he said. “We’re neighbors, and we’re here for them.” Donovan Lewis, who also lives across the street, said he was working from home at the time the fire erupted. “I heard the commotion and looked out my window and saw all the emergency cars,” said Lewis, 42. “It’s a sad situation. My heart goes out to the family.”
Relatives of the 19-year-old victim embrace outside the scene.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
## Cause of the Fire
The fire, which was caused by careless use of smoking materials and determined to be accidental, was put out by about 2:20 p.m., fire officials said.
## Conclusion
The apartment blaze that occurred on the Northwest Side of Chicago resulted in the tragic loss of a young life and left a community in mourning. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, resulting from the careless use of smoking materials. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
## FAQs
– Q: What was the cause of the apartment fire?
A: The fire was caused by the careless use of smoking materials and was deemed accidental.
– Q: How many people were affected by the fire?
A: One 19-year-old woman with disabilities lost her life, and a man was rescued and taken to the hospital in fair condition.
– Q: How has the community responded to the tragedy?
A: Neighbors have expressed their condolences and offered support to the family of the victim, highlighting the close-knit nature of the community.
– Q: What is the status of the investigation into the fire?
A: The fire is under investigation, but it has been determined that the cause was accidental.
