Chicago police: 2 children injured, 1 critically, in fire after incendiary device thrown at home

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two children were injured, one critically, after Chicago police said someone ignited an object and threw it into a house in Englewood Sunday night, starting a fire.

The fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. at a home in the 6100-block of South Carpenter Street.

One woman, who asked ABC7 to hide her face and disguise her voice, out of concern for her safety, said she heard the moment the fire started.

"It was a boom, like a brick through somebody's window type boom," she said.

Investigators said an incendiary device was ignited and thrown at the rear of the house, which started the fire.

Police said there were five children inside when the fire began. The children range in age from 4 to 10 years old.

"I seen a kid jumping off the roof into his dad's arms, and I see that house is in flames, especially the back, but the front is real black, smokey," the witness said said.

Police said four of the children were able to get out along with man, who told first responders that the 4-year-old boy was still inside.. With one of his children saved, the father, the witness said, panicked.

"He was just jumping up and down screaming, 'I got one more kid in there! I got one more kid in there!'" she said.

Fortunately, firefighters were able to locate him and get him out. The witness said the boy was unconscious when they brought him out.

The 4-year-old boy was transported to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition with smoke inhalation, police said. A 9-year-old boy was transported to the hospital in good condition with smoke inhalation.

Meanwhile, crime tape is up around the Englewood home and the scene is being protected by police.

A fire department spokesperson said the Chicago Police Department Bomb and Arson Unit will investigate.

The mother of two of the children, who wasn't there at the time, briefly returned to the burnt home on Monday.

The mom also asked ABC7 to conceal her identity. She said her children are OK, while her 4-year-old nephew remains in critical condition.

"I feel hurt. I felt like I wasn't there to protect my..." said the mother, who did not want to be identified.

The family involved is asking whoever did it to turn themselves in to police.

"You seriously hurt my nephews, my family. All I ask of you is just turn yourself in and deal with the consequences. You felt like you was grown enough to burn our house down with our kids in there, so you're grow enough to turn yourself in," the mother said.