Introduction to the Incident
Three people have died and another is unaccounted for and three more were hospitalized after a fire raged through an apartment building in Austin early Thursday, officials said. The three, of unknown ages and genders, have passed away, according to a spokesperson for the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Their names are not being released because two victims’ next of kin have not yet been notified and the third remains unidentified, according to a spokesperson.
Details of the Fire
As of about 10:45 a.m., the roof of the building was being removed, to help in searching for another person who is unaccounted for, fire department spokesperson Larry Langford said. Just before 2 a.m., the department responded to the 5200 block of West North Avenue where firefighters found heavy fire in the back of the building. They called for more support — 12 ambulances in total — and rescued people from windows of the building, according to Langford.
Rescue Efforts and Injuries
Four adults and two children were initially taken to two nearby hospitals, Langford said. One adult and two children, whose ages were unknown, were in “grave” condition leaving the scene, he said. A total of three people were hurt and hospitalized due to the fire, with the severity of their injuries not fully disclosed.
Eyewitness Accounts
A woman who only identified herself as a relative of the victims was standing outside the building, and appeared to be in shock. “I don’t know what’s happening,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.” Another woman who declined to be identified told the Sun-Times she saw the whole thing from her window last night. “I heard loud booms and saw people jumping out the window,” she said. Walter, an Austin resident who lives down the street from the fire building, stood on the other side of North Avenue, watching workers remove parts of the roof and recording it on his phone. Walter said he wasn’t sure what happened last night, since he lives in the basement of his building. “For my neighbors, I feel sad,” Walter, 44, told the Sun-Times in Spanish.
Investigation
The investigation is ongoing and the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined. Officials are working to identify the cause and to locate the person who is unaccounted for.
Conclusion
The fire in the Austin apartment building has resulted in significant loss of life and injury. The community is in shock, and the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The removal of the roof to search for the unaccounted individual and the rescue efforts by firefighters highlight the severity of the situation.
FAQs
Q: How many people died in the fire?
A: Three people have died, with another person unaccounted for.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: Three people were hospitalized due to the fire.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of the fire has not been determined.
Q: Were there any eyewitness accounts?
A: Yes, several eyewitnesses reported hearing loud booms and seeing people jumping out of windows.
Q: What is the current condition of the building?
A: The roof of the building was being removed to aid in the search for the unaccounted individual.
