Chicago Crews Rescue Man from Roof of Burning Home

Chicago firefighters early Wednesday rescued a man from the roof of a burning West Side home after he suffered smoke inhalation and burns trying to get out of the blaze.

Minutes before 5 a.m., emergency crews were called to near Erie Street and Mayfield Avenue in Austin for a report of a fire in a single-family home, according to the Chicago Fire Department. They found a man on the roof, clinging to the building, according to Chicago fire officials. He had used a window to escape the blaze but flames were approaching him as he waited for the firefighters who would eventually rescue him.

The 53-year-old man was taken to West Suburban Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, which included burns and smoke inhalation, officials said. He was in serious-to-critical condition, firefighters said.

No working smoke detectors were found in the home and Fire Department spokesman later said on social media that if the home had at least one working smoke detector, the man might have had more time to escape the home before he was so seriously injured.

The fire was struck out about 30 minutes after firefighters arrived.

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