Authorities say deadly Chicago high-rise fire was accidental

Chicago authorities said on Thursday that the deadly fire at the high-rise apartment building was caused by smoking in the bedroom.

In a brief statement, the Chicago Fire Department called the fire accidental and said investigators were tracing the cause of the “careless use of smoking materials.” Investigators also determined that the smoke detector in the apartment where the flames broke out was not working.

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On Wednesday, a fire in the Kenwood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago killed one person, and eight more were hospitalized. Authorities have yet to release any information about the deceased.

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Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said on Wednesday that fire detectors in the building’s apartments are powered by batteries, while those in the hallways are wired.

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More than 300 fire and emergency medical personnel responded to the blaze, which started on the 15th floor and rose to the 24th floor as crews worked to contain it.