5 Injured In West Ridge Fire, Including Police Officer
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Five people, including a police officer, were hurt in a fire early Monday in the West Ridge neighborhood.
The fire started around midnight in an apartment building in the 6000 block of North California Avenue.
When firefighters arrived, some people were screaming for help from the second floor, and crews rescued at least four people from the building using ladders.
"There was fire shooting from the roof, and heavy fire coming from the north end of the building on the second floor. That fire was confined to the original structure. There was no communication to any of the adjacent structures," Battalion Chief Tom Arnswald said.
According to the Fire Department, a woman in her 50s was critically injured in the fire. Two other women and a man suffered minor smoke inhalation injuries, but were going to be okay. A police officer suffered an asthma attack and was taken to the hospital.
Jose Bena said he believes he's the one responsible for the fire. He said he was smoking in bed, when he took a moment to go to the store. What happened after, however, might stay with him for a lifetime.
"I was just coming home, and I seen everything on fire," he said.
Bena mistakenly believed his family was still inside the building when he returned from the store.
"When I ran upstairs, the Fire Department grabbed me, and they just dragged me downstairs," he said.
The Fire Department has not confirmed the blaze was started by a cigarette, but firefighters said it's one of several possibilities they are considering.
Bena said the incident has taught him a lesson about how dangerous fires can be.
"Just be careful, man. Don't fall asleep smoking," he said.
