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
Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago celebrates Sunday Mass after Pope Leo XIV homily today at the Vatican

Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral Holds Sunday Mass Following Vatican Homily by Pope Leo XIV

The congregation gathered at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral once more as a…
Russia launches Ukraine War's largest drone attack after peace talks

Russia Initiates Major Drone Offensive in Ukraine Following Peace Negotiations

The largest known Russian drone attack since the full-scale war began in…
Breaking: Tall Ship Crashes Into Brooklyn Bridge, Multiple People Injured

Urgent: Large Sailing Vessel Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Several Injured

A colossal training ship from the Mexican Navy visited New York City…
JSO releases bodycam footage, identifies suspect killed in officer-involved shooting

Bodycam Footage Released by JSO Reveals Details and Identifies Suspect Killed in Police Shooting

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released footage showing an officer fatally shoot a…
Is ‘Tracker’ On Tonight? Here’s When ‘Tracker’ Returns To CBS With New Season 3 Episodes

Is ‘Tracker’ Airing Tonight? Find Out When Season 3 Returns to CBS

Tracker Season 2, Episode 20 took viewers and characters alike on a…
The Mexican naval ship Cuauhtemoc in the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge.

Two Dead, Numerous Injured After Mexican Navy Ship with 200+ Aboard Collides with Brooklyn Bridge

TWO people died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy…
Edwin Diaz locks down save for Mets against Yankees

Edwin Diaz Secures Save as Mets Triumph Over Yankees

Edwin Díaz could appreciate the moment.  The world’s top batter faced the…
Mexican navy ship hits Brooklyn Bridge

Mexican Naval Vessel Collides with Brooklyn Bridge

The New York Fire Department confirmed authorities were responding to injuries but…
Pope Leo XIV holding a baby.

Pope Leo Cradles Baby & Greets Crowds in St. Peter’s Square During Pontiff’s Inaugural Mass With Global Leaders in Attendance

Pope Leo XIV has been captured holding a baby and waving to…
Police respond to explosion at Palm Springs, California near American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic

Police Investigate Explosion Near Palm Springs Fertility Clinic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Officials in California say police and firefighters are…
Protect Our Children: In Safe Hands: WABC-TV 2025 special spotlights healing kids in crisis

Ensuring Our Children’s Safety: WABC-TV 2025 Special Focuses on Helping Kids in Crisis

Join Eyewitness News anchor Shirleen Allicot for our annual, Emmy Award-winning WABC-TV…
Iran's Khamenei launches blistering attack on Trump after Middle East visit

Iran’s Khamenei sharply criticizes Trump following Middle East tour

JERUSALEM – A few hours following President Donald Trump’s wrap-up of his…