Extra-Alarm Fire Guts Chatham Apartment Building; 2 Firefighters Injured

CHICAGO (CBS)-- About 30 people have been left homeless, and two firefighters were injured, after an extra-alarm fire destroyed a Gresham storefront and apartment building Tuesday morning.

The fire started around 6:15 a.m. at a three-story building at the corner of 79th and Vincennes, with the Vincennes Food Mart on the ground floor, and apartments above. The flames eventually spread to a neighboring building.

By 6:45 a.m., firefighters had called in a 2-11 alarm to bring in extra crews, and by 7:45 a.m., they had called in a 3-11 alarm, bringing approximately 125 firefighters, 12 engines, 4 trucks, and 2 tower ladders, 6 battalion chiefs, two deputy district chiefs, a district chief, a deputy fire commissioner, a command van, an air mask truck, and an ambulance to the scene.

The Fire Department also initiated a Level 1 Hazardous Materials Response due to heavy smoke, and brought in at least five extra ambulances as a precaution.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze, and were taken to the hospital in good condition. No civilians were injured.

Fire Department officials said the fire compromised the structural integrity of the building, and it will have to be torn down. Approximately 30 people will be displaced. The second building also sustained heavy damage.

The fire was extinguished by about 9:10 a.m.

In:
• Gresham