Oak Forest Police Officer Hurt in Attempted Fire Rescue

Update 4:17 p.m. Monday, March 25

The Oak Forest police officer treated for smoke inhalation was released shortly after the incident and appeared to be doing well.

Update 10:31 a.m. Monday, March 25

An Oak Forest police officer is being treated for smoke inhalation after attempting to rescue a woman trapped in a Monday morning condo fire.

The officer was taken to Palos Community Hospital for treatment, authorities said. The unidentified woman, who was the only person home at the time, was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Fire officials are still investigating what sparked a fire in a multi-unit building at about 9 a.m. Monday, March 25, in the 5200 block of Woodland Drive in Oak Forest.

The woman was unable to leave when a couch between her and the exit in a second-floor unit caught fire, said Oak Forest Fire Chief Terry Lipinski.

Oak Forest firefighters arrived and rescued the trapped woman.

The fire caused heavy damage to the condo unit. Another unit on the second floor also likely sustained damage from the fire.

All units in the building are occupied. It was unclear Monday morning whether everyone living in the building would be displaced because of the fire.

Units from several neighboring fire departments were called to help battle the blaze.

Patch will continue to update the story as details become available.

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