Four Chicago firefighters were injured, three of them seriously, when a blaze broke out in a vacant two‑family home on the 5400 block of South Justine Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Thursday morning. The incident was reported at approximately 11:30 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Chicago Fire Department.
The structure, described as a wooden two‑flat building, was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered intense heat and rapidly spreading flames inside the vacant home. While working to suppress the fire and protect surrounding properties, four firefighters sustained injuries. Three of those injuries were classified as serious, while the fourth was deemed less severe.
Firefighters involved in the incident received on‑scene medical attention from department medics. The seriousness of the injuries required further evaluation, though the department did not release details about hospital transport or the specific nature of the injuries. The Chicago Fire Department continued its efforts to extinguish the fire after the injuries were reported, eventually bringing the blaze under control.
The Back of the Yards area, located on Chicago’s South Side, contains a mix of residential and industrial properties, with several older wooden structures still present. Vacant buildings in the neighborhood have historically posed fire safety challenges due to their condition and lack of occupants to report emergencies promptly. The department’s response underscores the risks firefighters face when confronting fires in such environments.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding the cause of the fire or any ongoing investigations. The Chicago Fire Department will likely conduct a review of the incident to assess safety protocols and support the injured personnel. The incident adds to the department’s recent record of responding to emergencies across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
The community and city officials have been informed of the injuries sustained by the firefighters, and support services are expected to be made available to the affected individuals and their families.