CHICAGO (STMW) - A fire that began in a West Side garage spread to a car and neighboring courtyard building, setting porches ablaze and injuring a responding firefighter Tuesday night.

Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said a police Bomb and Arson Section had been sent to investigate the fire -- which began in a garage at 1142 N. Mason Ave. about 7:30 p.m. -- because of statements made at the scene.

The fire began in the garage then spread to a car parked outside the garage. It then spread the alley to 1145 N. Austin Blvd., a courtyard building, Langford said.

The fire first set the back porches ablaze, then went into the building, Langford said. A box alarm was initially called, but a two-alarm was soon initiated to get more manpower.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury while fighting the fire and was taken to an area hospital for treatment after pulling a muscle, he said. He was taken in good condition.

The garage, the Austin Boulevard building, as well as a building to the south were substantially damaged in the fire, Langford said.

No one in the building was injured and all had self-evacuated safely, Langord said.

The fire was extinguished at 8:04 p.m. and the building has been deemed uninhabitable. The American Red Cross was on the scene Tuesday night, helping displaced families, Langford said.

Langford said the extra-alarm response was initiated due to the sweltering heat.

"The bulk of the 2-11 response was to be able to change out firefighters and get them out of the fire," Langford said. "They take a beating in this kind of humidity."

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.