Explosion Forces Chicago Firefighters From Blaze

Jan. 4, 2008
Firefighters tried an interior attack on the fire, but some sort of explosion forced them to quickly evacuate.

CHICAGO --

An extra-alarm fire is out after starting in one home and spreading to another in the Pullman neighborhood Thursday evening.

A still-and-box alarm was called about 4:45 p.m. at 10953 S. Wabash Ave. for a fire burning throughout a 2-and-a-half story house, according to Fire Media Affairs Assistant Director Eve Rodriguez.

Firefighters tried an interior attack on the fire, but some sort of explosion forced them to quickly evacuate just after 5 p.m., NBC5's Mike Lorber reported.

Rodriguez described the attic incident as a "flashover." Crews upgraded the alarm to a 2-11 and called a mayday alert after the flashover occurred.

Firefighters were able to get out of the building, Lorber reported. The mayday alert was called off after a roll call confirmed all firefighters were accounted for, Rodriguez said.

It is unclear whether the building was occupied, NBC5's Rob Elgas reported.

The fire spread to a neighboring apartment building at 10949 S. Wabash Ave., she said. That building was evacuated.

Crews said that frozen fire hydrants in the area were affecting their efforts. However, by 6 p.m., fire crews had the fire under control and had apparently stopped its expansion to the adjacent building. By 6:20 p.m., fire officials said the blaze had been extinguished.

Crews shut down 109th Street between Michigan Avenue and State Street while they fought the blaze.

Copyright 2008 by NBC5.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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