WEST SIDE — Firefighters rescued four people as a fire ripped through the second floor of a West Side apartment Friday morning, the Chicago Fire Department said.
The fire started at 7:45 a.m. at 2659 W. North Ave., and was put out less than than an hour later, firefighters said.
A witness who lived next door said the blaze began with an explosion in the kitchen.
"It's all burned out — burned out really bad," said apartment manager Adam Kao.
One of the four rescued residents considered jumping out of a window before firefighters came with ladders, one witness said.
The four residents refused treatment and were released on the scene without injury, fire officials said.