Three long-vacant homes went up in flames early Tuesday near 155th Street and Turlington Avenue in Harvey, charring a stretch of the neighborhood and knocking out power for part of the block. No injuries were immediately reported.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, three homes were involved in the blaze, and the outage hit customers in the area of 155th and Broadway. ComEd had been notified, but as of early Tuesday morning, had not provided an estimated time for when service would be restored. Officials said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
What officials said
"Fires at abandoned properties are a recurring issue," Ald. Colby Chapman told FOX 32 Chicago. Chapman said the Harvey City Council is working on legislation aimed at tightening oversight of vacant buildings and holding those responsible for such fires accountable.
Turlington corridor context
The stretch of Turlington Avenue where the fire broke out has been at the center of a redevelopment push that seeks to turn vacant lots into new single-family homes. For more on how that effort has unfolded, see Hoodline's coverage of the fire-sale housing gamble.
Power outage and safety
FOX 32 Chicago reported that customers near 155th and Broadway lost electricity and that ComEd crews had been alerted. Residents can track current conditions and reported outages on the utility's live map. For the latest restoration details, visit ComEd's outage status.
What is next
Investigators had not released a cause for the fire as of late Tuesday. City leaders said they intend to keep pushing plans that address blight and reduce fire risk while continuing to pursue redevelopment options for the Turlington corridor. Residents with tips or safety concerns were directed to contact the Harvey Fire Department.
