Man charged with murder, arson in West Side fire that killed CFD Captain David Meyer

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.

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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.

"It's extremely sad, and our thoughts and our prayers are with the Meyer family, especially his wife Kristen, his four children," said Ald. Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward.

Alderman Gardiner, himself a firefighter currently on leave, said Meyer was also a talented carpenter who often worked on firefighters' homes.

"David was just a willing partner, whether it be on the job or whether somebody needed assistance doing a deck on their home or an addition," Gardiner said.

Gardiner is asking volunteers to gather Sunday at 11 a.m. at Malec and Sons Funeral Home in the 6000 Block of North Milwaukee to tie red ribbons along that street ahead of Meyer's Monday visitation there.

Others are also stepping up. Embroidered patches featuring the acronym for the phrase "hitting it hard from the yard" are being sold by The Yard Foundation, which supports firefighter families in need. The group said all proceeds will go to Meyer's family.

"Hopefully it just takes a little bit of that sting and worry so that they can focus their current time and attention on mourning the loss of their loved-one," said Erin Krupa, The Yard Foundation Co-Founder.

So far, The Yard Foundation said it has raised more than $30,000 for Meyer's family.

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.