Three firefighters and three residents were injured Tuesday afternoon in a house fire in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, authorities said.
Four ambulances were called to the home around 1 p.m. in the 3000 block of South Drake Avenue.
The firefighters were working in the basement when the fire flashed over them. They suffered burns and were taken to John H. Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County with non-life-threatening injuries.
One adult and two children were also transported to a local hospital where the adult was listed in critical condition.
A may-day call was issued after the firefighters reportedly became trapped in the house for a short time. They were rescued by the rapid intervention team standing by.
Two civilians also suffered smoke inhalation injuries and were taken to St. Anthony Hospital.
There are no life threatening conditions because they wore their personal protective equipment the way it was assigned to. It helped in preventing injuries," deputy chief Kenneth Wojtecki said.
Neighbor Gilberto Guajardo said he's noticed problems at this house in the past
"I had smelled gas and called the gas company. I don't know what happened," Guajardo said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
