Firefighter Injured While Fighting Fire in Humboldt Park
Accident Occurs While Battling Blaze on North Hamlin Avenue
A Chicago Fire Department (CFD) firefighter was injured while fighting a fire on North Hamlin Avenue in Humboldt Park. The incident occurred when the firefighter fell through a light shaft on the roof and fell all the way to the building’s basement.
Rescue Efforts Underway
According to officials, the firefighter was conscious and talking while being helped out of the building and loaded into an ambulance. Chicago police helped clear a path from the scene to Stroger Hospital, where he is believed to be in serious condition. The injured firefighter has been with the CFD for nearly 20 years.
Cause of Fire Unclear
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but CFD officials reported that hoarder conditions on the second floor made it difficult to fight the fire. A family of three from Ecuador, who live on the third floor, said they were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke and the sound of people yelling. They quickly escaped the building with just the clothes on their backs.
Eyewitness Accounts
April Rimmer and Tracie Buford, who were attending a baby shower at a nearby YMCA, witnessed the chaos. "We all stepped outside and we started smelling smoke and then we started hearing people yell, ‘It’s a fire!’" Rimmer said. Buford added, "It was a guy, it looked like he stayed in the first story and he was putting water, you know, trying to put water on the flames and then I think I saw him drag maybe a couple of people and trying to bang on doors and trying to get everyone out of the building."
Search and Rescue Efforts Successful
CFD officials confirmed that all residents were able to self-evacuate from the building. "We had our search and rescue teams searching for the individuals that we were told that were trapped. Fortunately, all individuals that were inside self-evacuated," said CFD District Chief Sean Hayes.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that firefighters face every day. Our thoughts are with the injured firefighter and his family, and we hope for a speedy recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused the fire?
- The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
- How did the firefighter get injured?
- The firefighter fell through a light shaft on the roof and fell to the building’s basement.
- What is the condition of the injured firefighter?
- The firefighter is believed to be in serious condition.
- How did the fire start?
- The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but hoarder conditions on the second floor made it difficult to fight the fire.
