AURORA (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - One person jumped from a third floor window and others were rescued from a burning building in downtown Aurora around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Aurora Fire Department said the fire was at 15 North Broadway between East New York Street and Galena Boulevard. It was in a three-story building that had a commercial business on the first floor and apartments on the two upper floors.
Battalion Chief Jim Rhodes said a female jumped from a third floor window and landed on the roof of a next door building about 20 feet down. She was one of two people taken to hospitals in serious condition. The other person suffered smoke inhalation, according to Rhodes. Four other residents were taken to hospitals with less serious injuries.
"Dispatch advised that there were people trapped in the rear of the building. Upon arrival (of) fire companies, they began assessing the rescue needs. Several victims were removed via ladder," Chief Rhodes said.
According to the battalion chief, the fire started in a third floor apartment.
"Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire at this time so right now, we don't have an exact determination," Rhodes said.
Chief Rhodes said the fire was under control after about a half hour but was raised to a third alarm to bring in extra firefighters to search for hidden fires.
He did not know whether the building had smoke detectors and, if so, whether they were working.
