Early Thursday morning, residents of the Gold Coast neighborhood were abruptly awakened as fire and smoke engulfed a unit on the 15th floor of the Newberry Plaza high-rise. According to ABC7 Chicago, the blaze prompted a substantial response from the Chicago Fire Department, with two individuals sustaining injuries due to smoke inhalation.
Officials were quick to actively work to keep the situation from escalating further beyond a single unit in the prominent 52-floor building. "Still and box with plan one for 1030 n State is now struck out. (LL)," posted the Chicago Fire Media, as stated in a post by the Chicago Sun-Times. Both victims were urgently transported to Stroger Hospital, with one reportedly in serious condition while the other's injuries appeared to be less severe.
As firefighting efforts ensued, the vicinity of State and Maple Streets saw considerable traffic disruptions. Chopper 7's aerial footage, capturing the aftermath, revealed black smoke staining the facade of the residential high-rise. On-ground conditions forced traffic detours stretching from Oak Street to Cedar Street to accommodate emergency vehicles and personnel.
Complications echoed in the city's transit system as well. The Chicago Transit Authority’s #36 Broadway buses had to temporarily reroute—to swiftly navigate around the congested streets via State, Oak, and Clark streets—before resuming their usual pathway near State/Chestnut streets, the agency advised, urging commuters to allow extra travel time.
While the fire was extinguished in less than half an hour, the underlying cause remains unknown. Fire officials continue to investigate and more details are expected to follow as the situation unfolds.
