Early Sunday morning, an apartment fire in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood sent six individuals to the hospital, five of whom are in critical condition, as reported by WGN-TV. The blaze, which started around 4 a.m. in the 1200 block of East 46th Street, caused extensive damage to the second and third floors of the three-story building.
Firefighters arriving on the scene discovered multiple victims on the third floor; some individuals had, regrettably, jumped from the building to escape the flames. Elaine Mason, a neighbor, recounted the chaos to WGN-TV, saying, "A couple people had to jump... I just saw them pick a body up off the ground and put it on a gurney, and I just saw the paramedics running with big bags." The Chicago Fire Department also administered CPR to at least one person found in an alley.
In addition to the physical injuries suffered by the victims, the incident resulted in at least two households being displaced. The local chapter of the Red Cross and human services were promptly on hand to provide aid to affected families, including one with three children. A Red Cross volunteer shared with WGN-TV their assignment to support the displaced family.
CBS News Chicago highlighted the plight of a teen, among those injured, who was forced to leap from a window to survive. Additionally, three individuals suffered cardiac arrest amid the chaos. While the ages of the remaining victims were not disclosed, the condition of the sixth individual taken to the hospital was reported as serious.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation. Meanwhile, city building inspectors are slated to evaluate the structural integrity of the building to determine when, or if, residents may safely return.
