Man accused of setting Des Plaines condo building on fire has died, officials say
DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) -- The man who allegedly purposely set fire to a condo building in Des Plaines has died, authorities said.
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The fire happened at about 1 a.m. on May 6 in the 1200-block of Harding Avenue in Des Plaines.
Authorities identified the man as 36-year-old Taner Bayramli. Police said he died on May 21 from injuries stemming from the fire.
Police said Bayramli lived on the third floor of the condo building. Officially they called him a person of interest. But they say they have video and forensic evidence including of Bayramli buying a gasoline container and gas from a nearby station.
Video allegedly shows Bayramli spreading gasoline down the hallway and stairway of the building. The stairs collapsed during the fire, trapping residents inside.
Seven other people, including four children, were taken to hospitals after a reported explosion.
The entire building was destroyed, leaving most families displaced.
"We are not closing the investigation," Des Plaines police Chief David Anderson said. "We are still waiting, as I mentioned, for electronic evidence that we have subpoenaed."
Some residents told police the suspect had been acting erratically days before the blaze.
Police say if Bayramli has survived they would forward their findings to the state's attorney so charges could be filed.
The family of Bayramli says they are filing a lawsuit against the building's owners.
An attorney representing Bayramli's family says his client is innocent.
Police say he had recently removed many of his valuables including his passport from the apartment.
