May 7, 2008 6:00 am US/Central
2 Hegewisch Houses Burn; Firefighter Injured
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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A fire spread to two houses in the Hegewisch neighborhood early Wednesday, and a firefighter was injured while fighting the blaze.
CBS
An attic erupted into flames and spread to a second building Wednesday morning in the Far Southeast Side's Hegewisch neighborhood.
All firefighters were accounted for, but one firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The fire started about 3:50 a.m. at a 2 1/2-story abandoned building at 13305 S. Burley Ave. The flames spread to another 2 1/2-story wooden building at 13309 S. Burley Ave., according to Fire Media Affairs Chief Kevin MacGregor.
At 4:20 a.m., the fire was elevated to a still-and-box and a Mayday response was called because the attic "flashed over" at 13305 S. Burley Ave. In the flash, the attic erupted into flames and the heat built up and ignited, making it necessary for all firefighters to get out of the building immediately, MacGregor said.
A mayday response was called to make sure all firefighters were out and safe. The still-and-box and mayday were canceled at 4:30 a.m., MacGregor said.
One firefighter was taken to St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center in Hammond. He was reported in good condition with minor injuries, officials said.
A South Chicago District police officer said police were on the scene controlling traffic.
The city Department of Buildings was sent out because the structures had been determined to be unstable, officials said.
The cause and origin of the fire was unknown at 5 a.m., but both remained under investigation, MacGregor said.
CBS 2's Kris Habermehl and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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