Firefighters responded to reports of an explosion in Chicago on Tuesday, finding one car crushed under rubble with bricks covering the street, Fox News reported around 11:00 am EDT.
The Chicago Fire Department has yet to announce a cause for the blast, but local gas representatives who visited the site say they do not believe the blast was “gas-related” or due to any of their own equipment.
First responders have reportedly requested 10 ambulances to the scene, and six people have already been transported to the hospital, with “several” in critical condition.
CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO RESIDENTIAL BUILDING EXPLOSION:
Steve Grzanich, a local Chicago radio personality reported the explosion on his Twitter feed. “BREAKING: Building explosion on the west side of Chicago. Fire Department on scene requesting five ambulances. Image from SkyCam9 above scene at Washington and Central Ave.”
Multiple fire engines have responded to the scene, but images do not appear to show an active blaze. The CFD says a “mass casualty EMS bus” is now en route. Images show the top floor of the building being completely blown out collapsing down onto the floor below.
Firefighters are working to evacuate the building adjacent to the one where the explosion occurred, which is on the west side of the city.
Fox News reported that Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Chicago Police Department bomb squad are also on the scene.
“There are six transports from Central & West End,” the CFD wrote in a statement regarding those injured. “1 red & 1 yellow to Loyola(2 males); 2 yellow to Sinai(1F & 1M); 1 F yellow to West Sub; 1 red M to Sinai.”
Red and yellow refer to the severity of injuries, with red being critical.
