LOGAN SQUARE — Neighbors are raising money for a 27-year-old man who was badly injured and another couple who lost three of their four cats in a devastating Wednesday morning fire.
Just before 9:30 a.m., emergency officials arrived at the scene in the 1800 block of North Kimball Avenue, just north of the elevated Bloomingdale Trail. The blaze started in a residential building and quickly spread to two neighboring buildings, torching everything inside.
Firefighters rescued three people: A 27-year-old man who suffered from burns and smoke inhalation was initially taken to Presence St. Mary's Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. He was later transferred to Stroger Hospital, where his status was updated to serious. The other two people refused medical treatment.
RELATED: 'I Lost Everything': Logan Square Blaze Destroys Homes, Injures Four
Three firefighters were also taken to the hospital for heat-related injuries, according to officials.
A couple — Taylor and Annamaria — "lost everything" in the fire, according to a friend who set up an online fundraising campaign with a goal of $5,000.
Their dog, Boris, and one of their cats, Noodles, made it out safely, but their other three cats, Oreo, Clementine and Peaches, "were not able to make it out in time" due to the speed and severity of the blaze, the campaign said.
Everything they own, according to the fundraising site, is "either charred or has severe water damage."
As of Thursday afternoon, the campaign had almost reached its goal, having raised $4,875.
Neighbors are also raising money for roommates Charlie Bain, Zach Shearer and Jameson Fowler, who lived in the building where the fire started.
The money will help Charlie Bain — the 27-year-old who was hospitalized — with his medical bills, according to the GoFundMe campaign. It will also help his roommates "get back on their feet," the campaign said.
The second campaign had raised $3,210 toward its $7,500 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
