An extra-alarm fire climbed several floors of a Kenwood high-rise Wednesday morning, killing one person and injuring at least six others.
Ashlee Rezin | Sun-Times
One person died and several other people were injured when an extra-alarm fire climbed nine floors of a high-rise apartment building near Lake Shore Drive in the Kenwood neighborhood Wednesday morning, according to fire officials and an alderperson.
The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. on the 15th floor and quickly spread upward along the outside walls and windows to at least eight other floors of the building in the 4800 block of South Lake Park Avenue.
A person was found dead in an apartment on the 15th floor, according to Ald. Sophia King (4th), who said she got the information from fire officials. Eight other people were injured, including a 70-year-old woman initially listed in critical condition, according to fire officials.
A firefighter was also hospitalized in good to serious condition with a minor orthopedic injury, Deputy Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt told media.
The fire was raised to a 4-11 alarm and more than 300 firefighters and emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, Nance-Holt said.
The wind was coming from the other side of the building which helped fan the flames, spreading the fire vertically, according to Deputy Fire Commissioner Marc Ferman.
“It was a fast-moving fire,” Ferman said. “And it was tough just staying ahead of it.”
By noon, flames were no longer visible coming from the upper floors. Crews continue to conduct a final search of the building.
King said many of the building’s residents are older people.
“I will tell you when I first walked up, I was aghast and my heart sunk,” she said. “But after talking to leadership, first responders, they have the situation under control.”
Barbara Joiner, a 69-year-old resident, stood outside the building with other neighbors as snow continued to fall. Joiner said she acts as a caretaker for another woman who lives in the portion of the building affected by the fire and was anxiously trying to reach her.
“Oh my God,” she said, remembering her reaction to seeing the flames once she got outside. “These flames are still rising.”
The building, at 4850 S. Lake Park Ave., has failed seven inspections since Oct. 27, 2021, according to city records.
The last inspection, on Dec. 1, 2022, cited management for failing to provide an annual fire alarm test for the building, according to records from the city’s Department of Buildings.
4850 lake park 2 11 high rise with injuries pic.twitter.com/jMbDKEtj8h
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) January 25, 2023
Contributing: Ashlee Rezin; Elvia Malagon; Associated Press
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