CHICAGO — A major apartment fire erupted Thursday afternoon on the Northwest Side, displacing several families and drawing nearly 100 firefighters to battle the intense blaze that officials say caused structural devastation and now requires demolition.
Fire Breaks Out on North Kimball Avenue
The fire began around 4 p.m. in the 5100 block of North Kimball Avenue, quickly escalating to a 2-11 alarm status, which indicates the need for additional units due to the scale and complexity of the emergency.
According to WGN-TV, the blaze took nearly three hours to extinguish, with firefighters facing challenges from both structural risk and the sweltering heat wave impacting the city this week.
Despite the scale of the operation, no injuries were reported. Most residents were able to self-evacuate before first responders arrived.
“I truly believe the firefighters are doing a great job…. they are risking their lives every day [to help] others,” said a local resident named Tony in an interview with WGN-TV.
Five Families Displaced, Building to Be Demolished
The apartment building, now severely damaged, is considered structurally unsafe and will be demolished, according to First District CFD Fire Chief Jim McDonough.
At least five families were living in the building at the time of the fire. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting affected residents, helping them find temporary housing and support services.
One resident, Norma, initially feared the worst after being unable to reach her aunt who lived on the second floor.
“When she was arriving, she saw the smoke, and we didn’t know where she was,” Norma told WGN-TV. Her aunt was later found safe but had lost her home in the fire.
Investigation Underway into Fire’s Cause
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not yet determined what sparked the fast-moving blaze.
Photos and footage from the scene showed thick smoke plumes, scorched debris, and a visibly shaken community as emergency crews worked around the clock to contain the flames and assess the damage.
Have you or someone you know been affected by this fire on Chicago’s Northwest Side? Share your story or offer support to families at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
