Saturday night turned tense on the 5900 block of Lincoln Avenue near Austin Avenue in Morton Grove, when a condominium building was abruptly evacuated after one of its floors partially collapsed. Fire, police and emergency crews shut down the block, cleared residents from the building and began checking for further structural damage.
Officials reported no injuries, but some residents were moved into ambulances to stay warm while others found shelter with nearby neighbors who opened their doors.
Resident Natalie Dotlich told CBS Chicago, “I feel very bad that people were outside in the cold, so they're coming to my house,” adding that she was especially focused on helping elderly neighbors. The outlet also shared a brief video from the scene that showed ambulances and emergency crews assisting residents as they filed out of the building.
Large Emergency Response After Collapse
According to NBC Chicago, police arrived at the condo complex around 8:30 p.m. Video from the scene showed a heavy emergency response, including a fire truck with a ladder extended toward the building as crews worked to secure the area.
NBC Chicago reported that no injuries had been confirmed as of 9:45 p.m., and the scene remained active later into the evening while first responders continued their work.
Unclear Cause, Ongoing Inspections
It remains unclear where the structural problem originated or how long residents will be unable to return to their homes, CBS Chicago noted. Building officials had not yet released a cause for the partial floor collapse.
Authorities on scene asked the public to avoid the area while crews and inspectors continue to evaluate the damage and secure the property.
Officials also urged anyone displaced by the evacuation to follow updates from Morton Grove authorities and local emergency services for information on shelter options and other support. This story will be updated as more details are released by officials.
