6 injured in Des Plaines fire, reported explosion at apartment building
Six people were injured in an apartment fire and reported explosion in Des Plaines, Illinois, overnight.
Firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story building at 1279 Harding Ave just before 1 a.m. and found heavy flames and smoke.
Video from the scene shows firefighters on ladders working to control the flames as emergency responders on the ground treated residents. Fire officials confirmed that multiple people were rescued from balconies.
Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries of varying severity, the Des Plaines Fire Department said. Officials said a sixth person took themself to a local hospital.
One neighbor told CBS News Chicago she heard a "very big explosion" followed by people yelling, "Help me."
Another resident said she escaped the fire by jumping off a balcony into a garbage can. She said she woke up to what sounded like an explosion and saw fire in the hallway.
"I went to the window to see what happened, and the guy upstairs was screaming, 'I'm on fire,'" She said.
The City of Des Plaines said two residents reported smelling gas earlier Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of the fire and the reported explosion are under investigation. Crews will continue searching the building and extinguishing hot spots.