OAK PARK (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Fire destroyed a number of apartments in a building in the western suburbs this morning, many people without a permanent home.
The three-alarm fire was in a 36-unit apartment complex in the 200 block of South Boulevard in Oak Park.
"When my crews got on the scene, they saw smoke in a first floor unoccupied business," Fire Chief Ron Kobyleski said.
The chief said the fire spread through the walls up to the second and third floors and into the attic and through the roof.
Oak Park fire officials said a total of 24 units are unlivable because of fire or smoke and water damage. The other 12 units are livable, but residents were waiting for utilities to be restored before they could return to their units.
Chief Kobyleski said many people were able to make housing arrangements on their own but that the American Red Cross helped nine people find temporary places to live.
The chief says the weather made it tough on firefighters and their equipment, although hydrants were working properly.
According to Chief Kobyleski, the fire was raised to a third-alarm to bring in extra manpower because of the frigid conditions. Extra fire crews were brought in from Berwyn, Cicero, Forest Park, North Riverside, Franklin Park, Broadview, Stickney and Elmwood Park.
The only injury was a minor one to a firefighter. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center but later released to go back to work.
Cause of the fire is being investigated.
The fire was reported around 12:20 a.m. and brought under control at 3:30 a.m., although firefighters poured water on hotspots for another couple of hours.
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