An early-morning fire tore through a house in West Garfield Park on Thursday, triggering a collapse that left a heap of charred wood and siding where the front rooms used to be. Video from the scene showed firefighters battling thick smoke around 3 a.m., and by daylight, the home’s porch was about all that was still standing.
The blaze started in the 400 block of West End, and crews spent the pre-dawn hours dousing hot spots before the structure ultimately gave way, according to CBS News Chicago. The outlet reported that it had reached out to the Chicago Fire Department for more information, but there were no immediate updates on injuries or on what sparked the fire.
West Side Pattern
The collapse lands in the middle of a rough spring for the neighborhood. On April 2, a pre-dawn blaze jumped between neighboring houses, and on April 20, a large West Fulton fire damaged several homes and left families displaced, ABC7 Chicago reported. Together, those incidents highlight how fast flames can race through the closely spaced wood-frame houses that are common on the West Side.
Fire Safety And Resources
Working smoke alarms and practiced escape plans dramatically reduce the risk of death in home fires, and community groups organize free-installation drives for neighbors who need them. The American Red Cross's Sound the Alarm campaign and related programs can install free smoke alarms, and residents can schedule an installation at getasmokealarm.org, the Red Cross notes.
By mid-morning, officials had not released a cause for the blaze, and the Chicago Fire Department had not issued an on-scene statement, CBS News Chicago reported. We will update this story as officials provide more information.
