CHICAGO FIREFIGHTER INJURED BY FALLING BRICKS
By Peter Nickeas, Chicago Tribune:
A Chicago firefighter was injured by falling bricks early Tuesday at the scene of a fire in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.
.Firefighters were called to the building, in the 7000 block of South May Street, about 6:15 a.m. Firefighters arrived within about three minutes, according to the fire department.
The building, an unoccupied two-flat, had heavy fire, according to Chicago Fire Department Spokesman Larry Langford.
While firefighters were working in the gangway on the north side of the building, part of the building’s wall collapsed and falling bricks hit a firefighter, Langford said.
“They lost the wall, bricks came down in the gangway and the fireman was hit in the arm,” Langford said.
The wall collapsed about 6:35 a.m. and firefighters called a mayday, which triggers an extra alarm, extra equipment, dozens more firefighters and another six ambulances to the scene.
The building had a red “X” sign on it, letting firefighters know it was dangerous and likely vacant, Langford said. No firefighters were inside when the wall collapsed.
The injured firefighter was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in good condition, Langford said. By about 7:45 a.m., all fire department members were accounted for and responding crews were sent back to their firehouses.
“They’re mopping up now,” Langford said.
Check back for more information.
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Image: Jose Osorio, Chicago Tribune
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