"Suspicious in nature:" Police question person of interest after man, children killed in fire in Chicago

CHICAGO -- Police are questioning an individual in connection with a large fire that happened Tuesday, August 23rd at an apartment building which killed a man and three children.

The fire started early Tuesday morning in an apartment building near 81st and South Essex Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood.

According to WGN, a 36-year-old father jumped from a third-story window with his infant daughter in his arms. Three-month-old Mellanie Watson later died at the hospital.  Her father is in critical condition.

The girl's sisters, four-year-old Madison Watson, and seven-year-old Shaniya Staples were found in a third-floor apartment.

The body of a man was found in the apartment next door.

Latoya Terry, who lives in the building, told WGN a man asked her for money and when she refused, he started the fire.

Tearful relatives gathering outside the building expressed anger over the possibility that the fire was deliberately set, WGN is reporting.

“The man who did this, you will reap what you sow.  You took three of my nieces from me. You will get what you deserve. You will definitely get what you deserve," an aunt of the young victims told WGN.