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2 Firefighters Hurt In Auburn Gresham Blaze

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two firefighters were injured early Tuesday when a porch roof collapsed as they were battling an extra-alarm blaze in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

The fire started shortly before 4 a.m. in a vacant 1 ½-story house in the 8800 block of South Parnell Avenue. A 2-11 alarm was later called for the blaze.

Two Firefighters Hurt

Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said two firefighters were going through the front porch, when the roof collapsed on top of them, and sent them into the basement.

"They declared a 'mayday,' other crews went in and made a quick rescue," Langford said.

The injured firefighters were transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, according to Langford. They were listed in good condition.

The fire also spread to a neighboring home, but no one else was injured. The fire was extinguished by about 4:30 a.m.

Langford said the building where the fire started was legally vacant and utilities had been shut off, but there might have been squatters inside when the fire started. The building also might have had an illegal electrical hookup.

The home where the fire spread was occupied, but the family got out safely.

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