HOLLYWOOD PARK — A fire in a Northwest Side apartment complex killed a child and injured 11 others Sunday morning, officials said.
Fire crews responded to the blaze in the 5700 block of North Kimball Avenue about 3 a.m. The three-alarm fire was declared under control by 5:45 a.m., but had devastating consequences.
A child, a 10-year-old boy, was killed in the fire, police said.
At least 11 others, including the boy's family, were taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, Thorek Hospital and Swedish Covenant Hospital, said Fire Media Affairs spokesman Joe Roccasalva. At least five children were among the victims.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the boy has Hans Kahn.
Neighbors said the fire broke out in a third-floor apartment, where Kahn lived.
"I heard the dinning room window pop," said Charles Hurdle Jr., 57, whose building was evacuated early Sunday morning. "I looked outside and saw the flames had jumped on to my porch. I woke my wife up and we got out of there."
Jeta Tagani, who lives across the street, was woken up by a relative who smelled the smoke.
"We came outside and saw people standing at the windows trying to jump out," Tagani said. "We were going to put something there for them to jump on but before we could do that, four girls had jumped out the window. It's really sad."
The fire is still under investigation, said Chief Juan Hernandez. He could not confirm reports the fire was suspicious.
Firefighters will be canvassing the area providing smoke detectors, said Battalion Chief Margaret Kane.
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