Building where 10-year-old girl died after carbon monoxide exposure lacked working detectors, alarms
CHICAGO (CBS) — An Albany Park apartment building where a 10-year-old girl died on Monday had a malfunctioning boiler and was missing required smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, according to building inspectors.
Chicago police said the 10-year-old, identified as Jayrinne Sequeida, was found in the apartment around 5:17 a.m. in the 3000 block of West Gunnison Street after fire crews responded for a hazmat with high carbon monoxide readings of 300 parts per million. For reference, the World Health Organization recommends that CO levels indoors be below 9 ppm.
The girl suffered cardiac arrest, according to sources. She was taken to Swedish Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A 12-year-old was also inside the apartment and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
The Chicago Department of Buildings cited the building for 11 code violations after the 10-year-old's death, including for not having working smoke detectors or working carbon monoxide detectors in the basement and on the 3rd floor.
Illinois law requires homes to be equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Landlords are responsible for supplying the devices in any rented units.
The building also received a violation for failing to keep the boiler in safe and sound working condition. The Buildings Department's report noted the boiler was "malfunctioning" and the Fire Department had shut off its gas supply. The building also was cited for exposed and shorted electrical wiring that was deemed "dangerous and hazardous" and for fractures and loose and eroded bricks in its chimney.
The city's inspection report also noted issues with bags blocking a third floor rear exit, and missing handrails on the front and rear basement stairs.
Neighbor Tina Carrol said the family has lived in the apartment for years.
"They're going through this journey, which is a very bad one. This is about the worse as it can get for a family, to lose a family member, especially a child," she said. "There are no words to explain the loss of a child. The only thing I can do is say I'm praying for them."
Carrol said she opened her door for one of her neighbors.
"We're a very tight-knit community, and we also look out for each other. When I saw everything going on, I didn't know what was going on, but I knew it wasn't good when I seen the police department."
Chicago Fire Department officials posted on social media Monday morning that January is a busy month due to fires and CO-related deaths.
"Heating systems that are turned on in very cold temperatures with the house sealed up can cause a rapid rise in CO," said Deputy District Chief Francisco Velez.
Residents are reminded to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors in their homes, as the fire department calls it "the silent killer."
"There is no sight or smell to it. So you can have a small leak in your furnace or in your kitchen somewhere that can be undetected and you're in a confined area that can actually build up the CO, carbon monoxide levels in the house and cause the deaths," Velez said.
Police said they are conducting an investigation pending autopsy results.
As of Monday, residents were not allowed back inside the apartment.
