Woman Critical After Jumping From Burning Building

A woman was critically injured Wednesday morning when she jumped from the third floor of a burning home on Chicago's west side.

Officials were called to the three-story building, at 4719 W. Arthington St., at about 9:40 a.m. A second alarm was called 25 minutes later, said Fire District Chief Peter Vandorpe.

Vandorpe said a Chicago police officer was the first to arrive on the scene. Upon arrival, the officer saw a woman on the third floor, preparing to jump.

"The police officer went to assist and the woman did jump and landed on the ground," he said.

The woman, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where she was listed in critical condition.

The fire spread to the roof of a vacant building to the east, then the building to the west, said a fire department spokesperson.

Firefighters initially had to deal with frozen hydrants, but they were opened quickly.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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