Chicago Firefighters worked through the early morning hours to contain an intense extra-alarm fire that spread across multiple buildings on the 8800 block of South Escanaba Avenue. The blaze displaced a total of 20 people, including six children, according to officials.

The Chicago Fire Department battles an extra-alarm fire that spread to three buildings on the 8800 block of South Escanaba Avenue in Chicago. (Heather Charles, Chicago Tribune / October 29, 2012)

A firefighter was injured during the operation and taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital for treatment of a knee injury. A local resident also sought medical attention after experiencing an asthma attack triggered by smoke exposure, officials reported.

The fire started in a vacant building on the Southeast Side and quickly spread to two other occupied structures. Firefighters arrived at approximately 4:20 a.m. and found a two-story frame building fully engulfed in flames. As the fire continued to grow, an extra-alarm was called, bringing over 100 firefighters and paramedics to the scene.

By around 6 a.m., the fire was under control, though crews remained on site to ensure no hotspots were left unattended. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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• Extra-alarm fire
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• Fire displaces 20, spreads to three houses
• 8800 S Escanaba Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, USA

By Peter Nickeas – Tribune reporter | 7:43 a.m. CDT, October 29, 2012

Twitter: @peternickeas

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