A Chicago man has been charged with aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer after he tried to save his dog from his burning home Friday night. The incident left his dog dead and three firefighters injured.
Samuel Lee Bassett, 48, of the 11300 block of South Elizabeth, reportedly got into an altercation with police when he tried to run into the burning house to save his dog, who died, neighbors said. Bassett was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and two misdemeanor counts of resisting a peace officer.
Bassett works as a lighting designer and is an Air Force veteran, according to the Chicago Tribune, who spoke to Bassett's attorney.
Three Chicago firefighters were taken to area hospitals after suffering minor injuries battling the fire at 113th Place and Elzabeth Avenue on Chicago's South Side.
The fire broke out when combustible material in an enclosed area ignited spontaneously.
The fire was extinguished and the firefighters were taken to area hospitals -- one to Metro South and two to Roseland -- in good condition. A spokesman said the three firefighters were transported as a precautionary measure.
