Terrell Webster, a 47-year-old construction worker, was found dead at the scene
CHICAGO, IL (CBS)–
Preliminary reports state the fire in the River North parking garage was caused by “open flame ignition” and the fire department said the crew did have a torch.
The Chicago Fire Department found Terrell Webster’s badly burned remains inside a crawl space above an elevator room, where he and four others had been doing work on the roof Saturday afternoon.
The four other workers made it out with burns.
OSHA is launching an investigation with the company.
Mary Webster, 47-year-old victim’s mother said she leaned on her son for help.
“He was always there for us,” Webster said.
The mother says she still has questions about what happened to her son.
Investigators are looking into whether the site had proper ventilation.
According to OSHA, Combined Roofing Services LLC has been inspected eight times within the last 10 years. Five of those inspections resulted in “serious” citations. Several involved fall protection and other training requirements.
CBS2 discovered the company was named in a 2015 lawsuit brought by an employee, when he fell off a removable ramp and injured his pelvis.
The case was eventually settled out of court.
The company was contacted multiple and there was no response
Webster’s loved ones say 2019 will be a challenging year for them.
“Pray and ask god to lead us and direct us and understand that it had to be his will,” Mary said.
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Chicago, Illinois
Authorities have identified a roofing worker was killed when a fire broke out as they worked on top of a River North parking garage Saturday afternoon, seriously injuring four others, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Terrell Webster, a 47-year-old construction worker, was found dead at the scene, according to fire officials and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. A ruling on the cause and manner of his death was pending further investigation following an autopsy Monday.
The blaze started about 1:20 p.m. in the penthouse elevator area of the Mart Parc Orleans garage at 437 N. Orleans St., fire officials said.
One worker was able to escape the penthouse by the time firefighters arrived a few minutes later, and he directed them to the other workers still inside, according to CFD Battalion Chief Cynthia Herring.
Four were rescued and taken to hospitals, all in serious or critical condition. They were all working for a roofing contractor at the time, making preparations from the inside of the structure for winter, Herring said. No one else was hurt.
It took about 15 minutes to put out the flames, Herring said.
Representatives for the company that manages the garage did not return messages seeking comment.
Dozens of emergency vehicles crowded the busy downtown neighborhood as firefighters secured the scene.
The roof of the structure on top of the 10-story garage was charred after crews put out the fire. Videos shared on social media showed plumes of think, black smoke billowing out earlier.
The garage remained closed to drivers for several hours following the fire. The cause is under investigation.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS —
A family is mourning the loss of a roofer killed after fire broke out on top of a River North parking garage, as CFD investigators returned to the scene Sunday.
Investigators with the Chicago Fire Department say vapors built up inside the garage's elevator penthouse may have been ignited by an open flame, causing the fire that killed 47-year-old roofer Terrell Webster and injured four others Saturday afternoon.
Investigators say they're trying to determine whether adhesives or similar materials were being used, and whether the work the roofers were doing required outside ventilation.
Regardless of the cause, the accident has left the Webster family grieving the loss of a husband, father and brother.
"He was real funny, loveable person, cared about everybody. He was the life of the family basically," his son Torrie Webster said.
"I’m gonna miss him. He was a good person," his sister Rhonda Hibbler said.
Terrell Webster had been a roofer his whole life, his family says. His sons even helped him lay a roof on his home. They had just celebrated his birthday on Christmas Eve, and just bought hi parents a new car.
Webster had just begun the River North project, his family says, leading a crew from Combined Roofing Saturday, when investigators say vapors hit an open flame and started the fire.
Torrie Webster doesn’t understand how it could have happened, since his father was so concerned about safety.
"That was his main priority, make sure nothing’s on fire, or we’re not falling off the roof or anything," Torrie Webster said.
Family says Terrell Webster rock of the family, the man who always knew what to say and how to help.
"He inspired me with good words and just his encouragement about life, and taking care of my family, and loving my family," Hibbler said.
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E.W. Olson Roofing has the experience and unique qualifications to provide the critical coordination necessary for successful new building construction. We are very often the first choice of general contractors, owners, developers, and architects when selecting a roofing contractor to be part of their construction team. These decision makers know the quality, timeliness, professionalism, and value they will get when they entrust E.W. Olson Roofing with their roofing needs.
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