Smoke and sirens cut through the quiet of early Wednesday morning in Chicago's South Austin neighborhood, where a large fire tore through a historic house and sent a firefighter to the hospital, officials and local sources said.
The blaze broke out in the 5900 block of West Race Avenue, a stretch of turn-of-the-century homes just east of the Oak Park border. Crews struck a still-and-box alarm to bring in extra firefighters and equipment, and video from the scene showed crews dousing stubborn hot spots on the home's broad front porch and terrace. The hospitalized firefighter was reported to be in good condition.
As reported by CBS Chicago, the Chicago Fire Department said one person was taken to an area hospital in good condition, and sources told the station that the person was a firefighter. The department said it was investigating the cause of the fire Wednesday morning.
What a still-and-box alarm means
Per the Chicago Fire Department's radio and communications guide, a still-and-box alarm sends multiple engines, trucks, a tower ladder, a squad, several battalion chiefs and ambulances to a serious working fire. The assignment is designed to quickly boost manpower and equipment at complex scenes, such as confirmed working fires or incidents that threaten more than one structure.
Race Avenue is lined with historic Victorian mansions, many in the Queen Anne and Shingle styles, and the house that caught fire reportedly featured a large front porch and terrace, as CBS Chicago noted. Video shared by the outlet showed firefighters knocking down lingering hot spots into the morning while neighbors watched from the sidewalk and front yards.
The Chicago Fire Department said it was probing the cause and had not released further details about the extent of structural damage or any civilian injuries. Reporters have contacted CFD and city officials for updates and will add information as it becomes available.
