Firefighters were battling an extra-alarm blaze on multiple floors of a Chicago high-rise Wednesday morning that left at least one person seriously injured, authorities said.
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Firefighters were battling an extra-alarm blaze on multiple floors of a Chicago high-rise Wednesday morning that left at least one person seriously injured, authorities said.
The fire sparked around 10 a.m. in the upper level of a building at 4850 South Lake Park in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood. Just before 11 a.m., the fire had spread to the 15th, 16th and 17th floors, according to Chicago Fire media relations.
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Firefighters said injuries were reported at the scene. One person was transported to an area hospital in serious condition so far, fire officials said.
The blaze was said to be "under control" just before 11 a.m. on at least one of the floors.
According to building inspection documents obtained by NBC 5, Chicago building inspectors have cited the building at least 12 times for “alleged code violations” over the past 12 months.
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At least eight of those alleged violations were related to fire safety, including what inspectors described as a "defective fire pump," missing fire tags on doors and more, the documents revealed.
Four times within the past year – including just last month – city inspectors have said the building must “provide for an annual fire alarm/voice communication system test.”
Dating back to Oct. of 2021, building inspectors had, as a result of violations discovered, asked building owners to perform required and annual inspections of any existing sprinkler system and standpipes.
Building inspectors also directed building owners to repair or replace the “6 inch water supply” to the fire pump “at once."
According to the Midwest Housing Association of Housing Cooperatives, the 25-story apartment building was built in 1970, and contains 306 units.
NBC 5 has not been able to confirm if the entire building is equip with a sprinkler system, or where in the building sprinkler valves are located.
Check back for more on this developing story.
