Three firefighters were injured while battling a four-alarm blaze that damaged several businesses on Chicago's North Side Friday afternoon.
The blaze broke out around 12:30 p.m. in the 3500 block of Irving Park, shutting down traffic on the roadway between Kimball and Easton.
Heavy smoke was reported in the area and flames were seen shooting from the roof as of 2:30 p.m. The blaze was elevated from a three-alarm to a four-alarm fire around 2:45 p.m.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries due to smoke exposure and were transported to an area hospital, according to Mark Nielsen with the Chicago Fire Department.
Six businesses and a library suffered damage from the blaze.
The fire is believed to have started in a dry cleaning store in the area. The owner of the store said the blaze started in the boiler room.
Jesse Espino said his store's manager tried to put out the fire with a bucket of water, but Espino quickly realized the blaze was too dangerous.
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"I said, What's going on?' He said there's a little flame inside the boiler room," Espino said. "I get myself out quick and I said get out of the store."
Ray Alvarez, who owns a nearby tax services store, said his business was destroyed in the blaze, but he's relieved no one is hurt.
"Oh my god, the business has been there a long time," he said. "You can lose everything in one minute."
Check back for details on this developing story.
