Chicago Firefighter Hurt After South Side Wall Collapse

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago firefighter was hurt by falling bricks Tuesday after a wall collapsed while he was battling a two-alarm blaze in an abandoned building on the South Side, according to the department. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, a Chicago Fire Department spokseman said.

The fire broke out before 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the 7000 block of South May Street in the Englewood neighborhood, the department said. The two-story building was marked with a red "X," indicating that it was a dangerous structure, Deputy District Chief Mitch Crooker said during a press conference.

Crews were outside the building when the wall collapsed, but the showering bricks hit one firefighter in the arm, the department said. He was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and was in good condition.

Along with the abandoned building, a neighboring house and another vacant structure also caught fire, WGN-TV reports. Eight people — five adults and three children — escaped the home uninjured, the report added.

The fire was under control by about 7:45 a.m., according to the Chicago Tribune

The abandoned South Side building that collapsed and showered bricks on a Chicago firefighter, injuring him. (Photo via Chicago Fire Department)