Man Jumps From Window During Extra-Alarm Fire
DOLTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Firefighters rescued about a dozen people from an extra-alarm blaze in south suburban Dolton early Saturday and one man jumped from a second-floor window to escape the fire.
Dolton Fire Chief Jerry McCullough said the fire that broke out around 5 a.m. at 14444 S. Cottage Grove Av. was suspicious.
A fire alarm system tripped, alerting firefighters to the fire that started inside a staircase at the 3-story apartment building, with about 23 people inside, McCullough said.
"The whole staircase -- the first to the third floor -- was engulfed in flames,'' when crews got there, the chief said.
"It's strange that it started there...in a staircase,'' McCullough said. The blaze was elevated to a second and third alarm before it was controlled about 6:45 a.m.
It caused heavy smoke conditions to billow throughout the building, causing one man to jump out of his window before fire crews got there.
"He bailed out the second-floor window,'' McCullough said.
That man was not seriously hurt and he was taken to a unidentified hospital.
No one else was injured because crews immediately erected ladders and began helping 11 to 13 "terrified" people out their windows and down the ladders to safely.
"They were scared,'' said the chief. Everyone else inside the building was able to move to the south end of the apartment building and stayed calm.
"Our police officers did a great job too,'' he said.
The fire caused heavy smoke damage but residents will be allowed back inside.
The chief said he does not remember any other fires at that address and said it is a very well managed building.
The American Red Cross disaster action team is on the scene determining the needs of those affected and will provide food, clothing and shelter to anyone affected, according to an emailed statement .
McCullough said investigators remain on the scene at 9 a.m. and there have been no arrests.
(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)
