At least 17 people displaced after 2 fires blocks apart in Back of the Yards

CHICAGO (CBS)-- At least 17 people had to find new places to stay after two fires just blocks apart Sunday night in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

CBS 2's Asal Rezaei reports the first fire started shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday at 4521 S. Wood St. Heavy flames poured out a third-floor window as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

At least two people were displaced by this fire, and one firefighter was injured.

Police said they believe this fire started with an accelerant, and are investigating it as arson.

About 45 minutes after that fire started, another fire broke out a few blocks away, at 4320 S. Honore St. Three homes and a car were fully involved in the fire, which caused extensive damage.

It was a windy night, which might have helped the fire to spread. A neighbor said flames were so intense at one point the sky was lit orange.

"We were able to see the glow of the flames shooting out, up as high as the third floor where we were at, and then a lot of black smoke coming through. The whole neighborhood is now just blanketed in smoke," Nico Rivera said.

At least 15 people was displaced by that fire, and neighbors said four or five children lived in one of the damaged homes.

No injuries were reported in the second fire. The cause is under investigation.