A Chicago firefighter was forced to perform CPR on his wife after being called to a fire that broke out at his own home.
On Tuesday (March 7) night, firefighter Walter Stewart rushed to his Montclare home after hearing his own address come over the scanner while on duty, as reported by CBS Chicago.
His wife, identified as 36-year-old Summer Day-Stewart, tragically passed away on Thursday (March 9) from sustained injuries during the fire, per People.
The couple's seven-year-old son, identified by police officials as Ezra Stewart, died on Wednesday (March 8), according to the Chicago Tribune.
Watch CBS Chicago coverage of the devastating incident:The Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed that their two other children - two-year-old Emory Day-Stewart and a nine-year-old Autumn Day-Stewart - passed away on Friday (March 10) night, per the outlet.
The blaze broke out in a house at 2554 North Rutherford Avenue, right off Wrightwood Avenue. The investigation into what caused the fire - which law enforcement believes started in the kitchen - was undetermined.
However, it remains likely that investigators will conduct a forensic analysis of artifacts from the fire, the Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford told the Chicago tribune.
He also revealed to the outlet that Stewart was not part of the fire crew that responded to the fire but when he heard the address of the fire over radio dispatch, he went to the scene and gave his wife CPR.
"As long as I’ve been associated with fires, I can't fathom what he’s going through. It’s just unbelievable. I can’t even think of what it feels like," Langford said.
"It's gotta be like hell. We’re doing all we can to support him," he added.
Tributes have poured in as the neighborhood mourns the family's loss. Flowers and stuffed animals have been laid out by friends and loved ones along the charred porch of the Stewart family home, per CBS Chicago.
A Chicago Fire Department charity called Ignite The Spirit has also launched a fundraiser to support the firefighter and his family.
Jim Tracy, the department president, has issued a statement about the tragic loss that read: "Every member of Local 2 and the Department mourns with our brother Walter and the Stewart family."
"This tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts, and we pledge our ongoing support," he continued. "Local 2 is encouraging everyone to make a donation for Walter and the Stewart family through Ignite The Spirit Chicago."
Firefighters have given out smoke detectors and fire prevention materials to the grieving neighborhood after the tragedy - a standard practice for the department after fatal fires. The Stewart family's home did have smoke detectors.
The Fire Department spokesman will be working with the Cook County Medical Examiner's office to figure out the cause of the blaze.
