Residents Jump From Windows to Escape Oak Lawn Apartment Fire

A fire forced several residents out of their homes in suburban Oak Lawn early Friday, authorities say, with some even escaping by jumping out of windows.

The Oak Lawn Fire Department said they were called around 12 a.m. to an apartment building near the intersection of West 93rd Street and South Harlem Avenue.

Fire officials said the second floor was where the blaze was coming from, and crews said a number of residents were hanging out of their windows asking for help.

That's when firefighters moved in quickly to rescue them, at least seven people who needed assistance.

"A couple of people actually jumped into their arms and had to be helped down the ladders," Oak Lawn Fire Chief Mike Mavrogeorge said. "Two other residents were rescued from another apartment on the first floor.”

An Oak Lawn Police evidence technician arrived on scene once the fire was out. Fire officials said the cause of the fire was unclear and remained under investigation.

The American Red Cross was at the scene as well to assist the displaced residents.

It's not clear exactly how many people were impacted, though authorities said there were no injuries in the fire.

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