No injuries in West Garfield Park fire, walls collapse with loud boom

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A three-story apartment building caught fire in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood. The ceiling and walls collapsed with a loud boom overnight.

Chicago Police Bomb and Arson investigators said the building located in the 430-block of West Van Buren Street was vacant when the fire started around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. Flames shot out of every floor.

Chicago firefighters were not able to conduct any searches after midnight because the building was deemed unsafe. But Bomb and Arson officials said no explosion occurred. Their initial investigation reported no injuries.

The building reportedly sold in June. But witnesses said they heard screams coming out of the building after the collapse, which sounded like an explosion to them. They also said the building was occupied and there were cars parked outside.

Investigators will return to the scene around 8 a.m. Wednesday to continue looking into the cause of the fire, along with building inspectors and firefighters.

They are expected to search for victims, if any, after they are given the all-clear to go inside.