Early Friday morning in West Humboldt Park, a fire broke out in an apartment building, resulting in six people being hospitalized. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Chicago police said the emergency response was initiated around 2 a.m. at the 4300 block of West Thomas Street.
Four men, ages 71, 72, 74, and 75, were treated for smoke inhalation. They are all currently listed in good condition. Additionally, two women, both 74, were taken to area hospitals, and one of them is in serious condition while the other is also in good condition, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Chicago's CBS News provided details on the building, describing it as a "two-story multi-unit building." Firefighters were able to rescue four men and later found and assisted two women. Deputy Chief Ernie Pinkston shared insights into the disaster, stating, "Our company found heavy fire in the basement." Pinkston explained, "It doesn't appear to be any fire spread to the upper floors, but again, we have our office of fire on the scene that's doing the investigation to give a final determination."
Pinkston's statement highlights the swift response of the rescue teams and an ongoing investigation to ascertain the full scope and origin of the fire. The community is awaiting further details as authorities continue to probe into the incident. The local neighborhood remains alert, and safety measures are being scrutinized to prevent future tragedies of a similar nature.
The names of the injured have not been released, and no further information regarding their conditions or the specifics of the rescue operations was immediately available. The story will be updated accordingly as more details become accessible to the public. For more information on this incident, readers can refer to the reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times and CBS News Chicago.
