Charles Green charged with murder, arson after David Meyer, Chicago Fire Department captain, dies in Austin garage fire
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — A man has been charged with arson and murder in connection with a West Side fire that killed a Chicago Fire Department captain on Wednesday.

On Friday, Chicago police confirmed that 44-year-old Charles Green, of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon hours after the fire, though police have not said how they identified him as a suspect.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Green has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated arson for allegedly lighting a fire in a trash bin that investigators say was the cause of the Austin garage fire that killed CFD Captain David Meyer earlier that morning, police said.

News of Green’s arrest comes after police confirmed that a person of interest was in custody on Thursday. Green lives just blocks from the scene of the fire.

Firefighters were called the fire at about 4:03 a.m. Wednesday in the 1200-block of Pine Avenue. The Office of Fire Investigations said the fire was started by someone intentionally igniting the contents of a trash bin.

The fire was out when part of the garage collapsed, critically-injuring Meyer. The 54-year-old later died at Stroger Hospital.

Meyer is being remembered as a hard working, decades-long public servant. The more than 28-year CFD veteran leaves behind a wife and four children.

Thursday was rough for the firefighters at Engine 96 Ladder 29, as those closest to Meyer spent part of the day at a procession that transferred Meyer’s body from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to a Northwest Side funeral home.

It was around midday Thursday when the ambulance carrying the remains of Meyer arrived in Norwood Park. Firefighters saluted his casket as it was taken into the funeral home where it will remain for now.

Also on Thursday, crews tore down the garage.

Resident Miriam Alonso shared cell phone video of Wednesday’s fire, which she said is just one in a series of dumpster fires that have been set on her block this year.

“It feels horrendous,” Alonso said. “There are no words for it.”

She was watching in horror as her family’s garage collapsed onto Meyer, shortly after a trash bin fire that spread into the garage was put out. She watched it happen.

“This is so traumatizing. I still have it in replay in my head like how it all happened,” Alonso said. “I hear them still screaming. I still see the smoke… Everything came down. And it hit him right here. All the bricks fell on top of him. We all witnessed that. And we saw everybody panic, ‘he’s down, he’s down.'”

Officials confirmed that so far this year, there have been at least five trash bin fires set a the stretch of West Crystal Street nearby. Two of them caused substantial structural damage after spreading onto nearby properties. Residents believe the same person is behind all of them.

“It’s not an accident,” Alonso said. “Like you’re lighting something on fire. Obviously you’re gong to catch something on fire, you know. Especially you’re doing a trash can. Like, it’s common sense.”

Public visitation for Captain Meyer will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Malec and Sons Funeral Home in Norwood Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

The funeral service follows Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Saint John Brebeuf Church in Niles.

ABC7 is expecting to learn more on Saturday when Green will be scheduled to appear in court.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Jacksonville sheriff: 24 arrested in undercover child sex sting operation

Jacksonville Sheriff Announces Arrest of 24 in Undercover Child Sex Sting Operation

Sheriff T.K. Waters stated that “Operation Rescue Our Children” led to several…
Pope Leo family history: Cook Country archives show Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV's grandfather immigrated from Italy to US

Family Background of Pope Leo: Cook County Records Reveal that Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV’s Grandfather Moved to the U.S. from Italy

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Cook County Clerk’s office has some 80,000 boxes…
A music talent agency says 3 employees died on a plane that crashed into a San Diego neighborhood

Three employees from a music talent agency among those killed in San Diego neighborhood plane crash

The music agency Sound Talent Group reported on Thursday that three of…
Police officers outside the 100 Club in Oxford Street, London.

Police Respond to Unplanned Kneecap Concert in London After Rapper Liam O’Hanna, 27, Faces Terrorism Charges

COPS have turned up at Kneecap’s surprise gig in London just hours…
Fernandina Beach stabbing suspect in custody

Suspect Arrested in Fernandina Beach Stabbing Incident

Witnesses in the neighborhood say this was out of character and completely…
A look at the deportees on plane that headed for South Sudan from US

Examining the Group of Deportees Traveling from the U.S. to South Sudan by Plane

The individuals of foreign origin, who had been convicted of crimes and…
Man charged with stalking Jennifer Aniston found mentally incompetent for trial

Man Accused of Stalking Jennifer Aniston Deemed Mentally Unfit for Trial

BEL AIR, LOS ANGELES — A man accused of stalking Jennifer Aniston…
Shirtless man with long gray hair and beard behind glass.

Jennifer Aniston’s alleged ‘stalker,’ who reportedly claims to be Jesus, maintains he is fit to stand trial despite his wife’s statements.

The individual accused of stalking, who collided with Jennifer Aniston’s security gates…
Prisoner giving the middle finger while leaving prison.

Early Release of Pedophiles and Violent Offenders Will Cause Street Chaos, Police Chiefs Warn in Strongly Worded Letter

POLICE chiefs have blasted plans to let violent thugs out of jail…
St. Regis Bal Harbour hotel sign and building.

Hotel Accused of Charging Woman for New Suite After Male Employee Allegedly Intruded on Her Shower in $7M Lawsuit

A WOMAN is suing a hotel for $7 million after she allegedly…
US Vice President JD Vance.

JD Vance Criticizes VP’s Call to Unquestioningly Support New Pope’s Stance on Immigration

Vice President JD Vance has taken a firm position on immigration, even…
Illinois, Indiana families announce new lawsuits against Crown Cremation, Chicago Heights Crematory for mishandling remains

Families from Illinois and Indiana file lawsuits against Crown Cremation and Chicago Heights Crematory for improper handling of remains.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Attorneys announced more civil lawsuits Thursday against crematoriums in…