A Chicago man, Lontray Clark, is facing serious charges after allegedly setting his friend’s apartment building on fire, killing four innocent people, including a pregnant mother and her 5-year-old son. The tragic incident occurred on June 26, 2025, in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. According to police, the fire was sparked by a personal dispute between Clark and his friend after Clark discovered his ex-girlfriend had been dating the friend.
The Motive Behind the Deadly Blaze
Clark, 23, reportedly became enraged after seeing a Snapchat photo of his ex-girlfriend with his friend. Prosecutors revealed that Clark had argued with his ex-girlfriend earlier and, upon seeing the photo, decided to confront his friend. He allegedly went to the friend’s building with a Molotov cocktail, throwing one at the front and one at the back door of the apartment building, trapping the residents inside. West Side Alderwoman Emma Mitts described the scene, saying, “They never had a chance.”
Victims of the Fire
The four victims who tragically lost their lives were complete strangers to Clark and his friend. They were identified as Brad Cummings, 76, the editor of the Austin-based newspaper The Voice; Destiny Henry, 28; Regina Henry, 32; and Regina’s 5-year-old son, Jayceon Henry. Destiny was Regina’s sister. The fire also critically injured Destiny’s 4-year-old son, Kyle, who suffered head trauma and severe burns.
Clark’s Actions Before the Fire
Before setting the building on fire, Clark allegedly went to a gas station with his cousin, where they filled an antifreeze bottle with gasoline to make a Molotov cocktail. They also purchased black clothing, face masks, and a lighter. The pair then drove to the apartment building, where Clark threw the Molotov cocktails. The cousin later confessed to police, saying Clark admitted to starting the fire, telling him, “I just lit the house on fire.”
The Fire and Rescue Efforts
The fire broke out around 1:50 a.m., and although the intended targets—Clark’s ex-girlfriend and his friend—managed to escape by climbing out of a window, the blaze quickly spread. Firefighters responded quickly, with 140 firefighters working to extinguish the flames. Several people were injured in the fire, including Kyle Henry, who was hospitalized with critical burns and head injuries.
Legal Proceedings and Public Response
Clark appeared in court for the first time on Saturday, where prosecutors presented the evidence of the motive and text messages Clark had sent. His public defender noted that there is no surveillance video of the crime. However, the evidence and Clark’s cousin’s confession have led to serious charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated arson. The case has left the community in shock, with Alderwoman Mitts saying the crime “could have been avoided” and calling for Clark to be locked up for life.
The devastating fire in Chicago has left the community grieving the loss of innocent lives, including a pregnant mother and her young son. As Clark faces serious charges, the tragedy has raised concerns about the consequences of personal disputes spiraling out of control. The incident serves as a reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from unchecked anger and violence.
