Man, 69, Throws Grandson To Safety From 2nd Floor Apartment During Fire

CHICAGO — A 69-year-old man threw his young grandson to safety during a fire Sunday in East Side — but now the grandfather is fighting for his life.

At 3:45 p.m., the two were inside a second-floor apartment in the 10000 block of South Avenue L when there was a fire, police said. The man took out a window and picked up the boy, 7, and threw him out the window to police officers who were waiting below.

The officers caught the boy, who was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital. His condition was not available, but he was listed as “stable,” police said.

The grandfather, however, suffered serious injuries in the fire. 

He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center. Officials originally said he had died, but as of Monday morning they said he was alive but in critical condition.