Woman and Firefighter Hospitalized After Two-Story House Fire

A Chicago Heights fire ended with a woman and a firefighter in the hospital Saturday, according to fire officials. 

The Chicago Heights Fire Department was called at 3:40 a.m. about a house fire in the 100 block of East 23rd Street. Minutes later, the first and second floor of the building were fully engulfed. As firefighters arrived, they received help from a few neighbors, according to Chief James Angell.

"There were three males that saw the fire from across the street, went to the backside and were pounding on the door and helping the people out," Angell said. "They led two adults and a baby out the back door."

Angell said there were rumors that another woman was inside the house, so firefighters went inside and checked but did not see anyone before having to exit the unstable building. Later, a firefigher saw the "silhouette of a woman," who dropped out of the front window of the house and landed in a three-foot gangway, according to Angell.

The woman was taken to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights and treated for her injuries. Angell said the woman's injuries were not life-threatening. 

Also during the fire, a firefighter at the scene complained of chest pains and was taken to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields to be treated. 

There were no other reported injuries. The state fire marshal is investigating the blaze but was delayed as walls had to be re-built to stabilize the structure, according to Angell.

Patch will provide more information about this fire as it becomes available.

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