A trash-chute fire at a South Side high-rise early Saturday turned into a scary wake-up call for residents, sending seven people to nearby hospitals and forcing everyone in the building to evacuate. Thick smoke was visible billowing from the top of the tower near West 71st Street and South Lafayette Avenue in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.
CFD: Seven Hospitalized, Dozens Hustled Out
According to ABC7 Chicago, the Chicago Fire Department said seven people were transported to hospitals, four listed in good condition and three in fair condition, while 12 residents refused medical treatment at the scene. Firefighters knocked down the flames and crews swept the building after evacuating residents.
How A Trash Chute Turns Smoke Into A Buildingwide Problem
Trash chutes act like vertical shafts that can funnel smoke and heat between floors, which makes refuse-area fires especially risky in tall residential buildings. NFPA 82 requires sprinkler protection and fire-rated chute doors for waste-handling systems, a standard that is referenced in the Illinois Administrative Code for building waste systems.
Cause Still Unknown As Officials Probe Damage
Chicago officials have not released a cause, and ABC7 Chicago reported that the fire’s origin remained unknown. The incident remains under investigation as crews and building management assess damage and the needs of displaced residents.
