Disgruntled former employee allegedly sets Avondale business on fire

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police searching for a man they say torched his old office Friday, leaving a former co-worker seriously hurt.

A 44-year-old woman remains hospitalized at Stroger Hospital in serious but stable condition with burns to about 25 percent of her body, after witnesses say a former co-worker, angry about being fired, went to his old job and then set the office on fire.

An emotional Jimmie Griggs stands in what's left of his burned out restaurant delivery business after he says a disgruntled former employee threatened him before setting the office on fire, seriously injuring another worker.

"We've been trying to resolve any outstanding issues in an amicable fashion," Griggs said. "Clearly he had different expectations."

Griggs says it happened Friday afternoon at the Avondale office of Deliver My Grub, located in the city's Northwest Side.

Griggs say the man, who had been let go two months ago called and threatened him, saying he wanted his money in 24 hours or Griggs would see what was going to happen. Griggs said the man had refused to accept back pay and then later demanded it. His lawyers were trying to sort it all out.

"He left money on the table because he didn't want sign exit documents identifying the situation as it was," said Griggs.

Another of the company's workers say it was around 4:30 p.m. Friday when the disgruntled former employee walked into the business headquarters located in the 3000-block of West Belmont and began knocking over furniture. When a staff member tried to stop him he allegedly pulled out a container of gasoline, poured it around the office and then lit a fire before running ran away.

As the fire raged, witnesses say a 44-year-old staffer slipped on the accelerate causing her to catch on fire. That worker suffered second-degree burns to her legs and lower body before another worker put out the flames.

"I'm upset on behalf of my people more than anything else," said Griggs. "I've spent five and a half years building this business, not so that people could shut it down.

Police continue to look for the ex-employee, who is not in custody Saturday night.