No injuries in extra-alarm blaze on Northwest Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- No injuries were reported in an extra-alarm blaze on Chicago's Northwest Side.

Around 7 a.m. Wednesday, fire crews responded to a report of fire in a central unit in an apartment building on the corner of North Central Avenue and West Melrose Street in the city's Belmont Central neighborhood.

When firefighters arrived, they saw several residents out on their balconies. Everyone was brought down safely, fire officials said.

Just before 7:30 a.m., heavy white smoke was seen billowing out of the top floor of the three-story building. The flames spread quickly and the fire was upgraded to a 2-11.

Officials said firefighters experienced minor water freezing issues during the response. Temperatures were in the single digits Wednesday morning and wind chills were below zero.

There are 12 residential units, four commercial units and a parking garage in the building, officials said. The fire was struck around 10:50 a.m., officials said.