Sheriff's Deputies Rescue Four From Burning Building
CHICAGO (WBBM/STMW) - Two Cook County Sheriff's deputies remain hospitalized after rescuing four people from a burning building in the Far South Side Roseland neighborhood Tuesday morning.
The fire was reported at 10:48 a.m. in a two-story residential building at 115 E. 111th St., Fire Media Affairs spokesman Will Knight said.
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Deputies David Soto and Edward Flory were driving by the building when they saw flames erupting. They forced their way into the common area of the building and began searching for residents, a release from the sheriff's office said.
They found four people in one upstairs apartment and escorted them out of the building. The deputies then went back in, despite a fire on the second floor, to make sure no one else was inside, the release said.
But the smoke and fire eventually became too intense and the deputies were forced to get out of the building.
Chicago firefighters arrived on the scene with two fire engines, two fire trucks and a rescue squad, and were able to contain the fire, the release said. No one else was inside the building.
The fire was extinguished by 11:15 a.m., Knight said.
Two Chicago Police officers were treated and released at the scene, while the sheriff's deputies were taken to area hospitals, Knight said. No residents of the building were injured.
The deputies were taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. Soto was being checked for back and neck injuries, and labored breathing, while Flory was being treated for smoke inhalation, the release said.
Both remain hospitalized in good condition.
At the time of the fire, they were in the process of serving orders of protection and warrants as part of their regular duties with the sheriff's Warrants, Levies and Evictions Unit, the release said.
Soto has been with the sheriff's office since 1991, while Flory has been with the department since 1997.
