South Shore high-rise blaze sends 7 to local hospitals, including baby in critical condition: fire officials

Five children and two others were hospitalized after an extra-alarm fire broke out in a 14-story apartment building in South Shore Wednesday afternoon, fire department officials said.

The blaze began in the kitchen of a second-story apartment in the building on the 7100 block of South Jeffery Boulevard around 4 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department. The fire was upgraded to a 2-11 alarm, which summons additional firefighters and equipment to the scene.

An infant was in critical condition at Stroger Hospital, department spokesperson Larry Langford said.

Most of the injuries were due to smoke inhalation but one man was injured after jumping from the building’s fourth floor, Langford said. The man was able to walk and was in fair condition at the University of Chicago Hospital, he said.

Four children were in good or fair condition at Comer Children’s Hospital, according to Chief Michael Divita. Fire officials were not immediately able to confirm the age of the seventh injured person, who was listed in good condition at Advocate Trinity Hospital.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze just after 5 p.m. and department officials were investigating its cause, Divita said.