Police: Fire that critically injured 4-year-old set on purpose

A fire that critically injured a 4-year-old boy early Sunday in the Northwest Side Irving Park neighborhood appears to have been set on purpose, according to Chicago Police.

The fire was reported about 3 a.m. in the 4300 block of North Drake, according to Fire Media Affairs spokesman Will Knight.

The boy suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns over more than 75 percent of his body, Knight said. He was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Detectives believe the fire started when a person ignited materials inside a garbage receptacle, and the flames spread to the coach house structure, according to a community alert issued Monday.

Another garbage can in the same block was set on fire at about the same time, police said.

Two firefighters were also injured in the fire on North Drake, authorities said previously. They were originally listed in fair-to-serious condition at Swedish Covenant with “minor facial and hand burns,” according to fire officials.

Police are investigating the fire as an arson, the community alert said.