The fire started shortly before 7 p.m. at a 11/2-story frame house on the 7000 block of South Justine Street, police said.
Firefighters had ventilated the roof before moving into the house, but they were trapped in the attic area when it "lit up," fire Commissioner Robert Hoff said.
"In the attic, things went bad," Hoff said. "They got trapped."
Two of the injured firefighters were quickly rescued, but they suffered burns on their hands and faces. One of those firefighters also suffered burns in his respiratory system, Hoff said.
Both were taken in serious-to-critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, but they were expected to be transferred to the Loyola University Hospital Burn Unit, Hoff said.
A third firefighter was taken in fair condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, Fire Department Chief Kevin MacGregor said. Two of the firefighters were from the same engine company, Hoff said.
"I was just saying, God please don't let them fall off that roof," said Debra Collins, 56, who lives three houses down from the blaze.
Collins rushed out of her home, like many on the residential street, when she saw the smoke and heard the sirens. "Those firemen ran right into those flames without any fear," she said.
As firefighters fought the blaze on the lower levels, others attacked from the roof, tearing it with axes to blast water in from overhead, Collins said.
"I saw him come out on the stretcher," she said. "My God, let them be OK."
One of the firefighters was identified as Kevin Abdullah, 49, according to family members. The other firefighters' names were not being released Thursday night pending notification of families.
Tribune reporters Cynthia Dizikes and Jeremy Gorner contributed.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
