Attempted Murder Charge Filed In House Fire That Injured Girl, 15

AURORA, IL — A 19-year-old woman is charged in a house fire that sent a 15-year-old girl to the hospital in serious condition. Dajah S. Tilis, who also suffered smoke inhalation in the fire, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated arson and arson.

Firefighters arrived to a home in the 1200 block of 5th Street just after 11 a.m. May 9 to find smoke billowing from all sides of the house and someone calling for help from inside.

Crews forced their way into the home and rescued the 15-year-old, who was taken to an area hospital in serious condition from smoke inhalation.

The 19-year-old, later identified as Tilis, was also treated for smoke inhalation and remains hospitalized, police told the Chicago Tribune.

A dog and cat escaped the home as firefighters rescued the 15-year-old girl.

Three residents are receiving housing assistance after the home was declared uninhabitable, according to the Aurora Fire Department. It took 32 firefighters 15 minutes to put out the blaze, which caused an estimated $75,000 in damage.

Charges were filed against Tilis on May 12, three days after the fire. Her bail was set at $500,000.