Humboldt Park fire investigated as arson

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two residents and a firefighter suffered minor injuries as flames tore through a Humboldt Park apartment building. Police are investigating the West Side fire as a possible arson.

Fire crews responded to an apartment building in the 600-block of North Springfield Avenue just after 2 a.m. Thursday. Heavy flames were shooting out of the roof.

"I grabbed my granddaughter and grandson and everything and I shot out the back door," one resident said.

"I was asleep. I woke up firemen telling us to get out. I had to run out with my boxers on. I never experienced anything like this in my life," Travon Williams said.

Two people, a 35-year-old woman and 24-year-old man, were injured when they jumped from their second floor apartment. Both were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and are expected to be OK.

A firefighter who injured his knee was also taken to the hospital. He, too, is expected to be OK.

Firefighters struck the fire around 3:40 a.m. Investigators say it started in a stairwell and spread, causing smoke and fire damage to the upper floors of the building.

"That's kind of shaky at the moment. I'm just glad me and my mother got out, everybody got out. The material stuff, we can replace that. That's why I go to work every day, so I can deal with stuff like that," said Belton Payton, who lives in the building.

The American Red Cross said 10 people were displaced by the fire. The organization helped them find a temporary place to stay.

The battalion chief said there were no smoke detectors in the building.