Fire spreads from vacant building to apartments in South Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Four people were forced out of their homes after a fire in the city's South Chicago neighborhood.

Police said the fire started around 1 a.m. Wednesday in an empty building in the 8500-block of South Marquette Avenue and spread to an apartment building next door.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed out of the windows. The building was heavily damaged.

No one was hurt. The American Red Cross helped the displaced residents find a place to stay.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.