Local News
10-year-old London Woodard died after fire in Washington Heights neighborhood
His 18-year-old brother, Mikah Glass, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also rescued from the home.
A tragic early-morning house fire in Chicago has claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy and left his older brother in critical condition, according to authorities and family members.
The fire broke out at approximately 3:27 a.m. at a residence near 105th Street and Green Street.
The Chicago Fire Department responded to the scene and was able to bring the fire under control after rescuing two individuals from inside the home.
Firefighters located 10-year-old London Woodard inside the residence, reportedly on a couch, suffering from severe smoke inhalation.
He was transported to Roseland Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
His 18-year-old brother, Mikah Glass, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also rescued from the home.
He sustained significant smoke inhalation and was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Family members stated that both boys were in the living room at the time the fire began, while their parents were asleep upstairs.
The parents were able to escape the home without injury.
According to relatives, the father attempted to reach the children but was unable to do so in time, prompting the mother to seek help from neighbors.
London Woodard is being remembered as a bright and talented young boy, including as an avid basketball player who had recently played in a game just hours before the tragedy.
The Chicago Fire Department is continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.
Preliminary information suggests the possibility that an electrical issue, potentially involving an outlet behind the couch, may have contributed to the blaze, though this has not yet been confirmed.
The incident has left the family and community devastated as they mourn the loss of a young life and pray for the recovery of his brother.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.