1 dead, 8 taken to hospitals in Chicago high-rise fire
CHICAGO – Chicago authorities said one person died and eight others were taken to hospitals Wednesday as firefighters battled a fire at a high-rise apartment building on the city’s South Side, battling flames that jumped 10 stories as snow fell.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said eight people taken to hospitals were in stable condition early Wednesday afternoon. She said one firefighter had minor injuries but is doing well.
Sophia King, a councilwoman for the area, said the person who died was found in the apartment where officials say the fire started. Authorities have not released further information about the person who died.
Video from outside the building in the Kenwood neighborhood showed bright orange flames on several floors before firefighters got it under control. Damage was visible from the ground, including broken windows and the building’s blackened exterior.
The Chicago Fire Department said the fire was initially reported around 10 a.m. and was under control by 12:30 p.m. Nance-Holt said more than 300 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the fire; the cause is still under investigation.
She said the fire started on the 15th floor and spread up to the 24th floor as firefighters ran from floor to floor to stay ahead of the flames.
“They did an outstanding job,” Nance-Holt said. “It just went straight and they did everything they could to put the fire out.
King said many of the building’s residents are elderly.
“I’ll tell you, when I first walked in there, I was horrified and my heart sank,” she said. “But after talking to the management, the medics, they have the situation under control.
Barbara Joiner, a 69-year-old resident, stood outside the building with other neighbors as the snow continued to fall. Carpenter said she was housekeeper for another woman who lives in the part of the building affected by the fire and was anxiously trying to reach her.
“Oh, my God,” she said, remembering her reaction to seeing the flames as soon as she got outside. “The flames keep rising.
