6 homes damaged as Chicago Heights firefighters battle fires that started in abandoned buildings

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- Six homes were damaged or destroyed after fires broke out in Chicago Heights Tuesday night.

The first fire started shortly after 11 p.m. near 15th Street and Howe Avenue.

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The blaze broke out in an abandoned building before spreading to an occupied house next-door, then to another abandoned home.

When firefighters first arrived on scene for reports of one fire, they found a second had started across the street.

It, too, had started in an abandoned house before spreading to Alicia Campbell's home and her neighbor's house.

Firefighters' efforts to douse the flames were delayed.

"This hydrant didn't work; so, that meant firefighters had to attach to that hydrant down the block. It worked for a little bit, but eventually failed, meaning firefighters then had to attach to a hydrant down the street," fire officials said.

The closest working hydrant was over 1,000 feet away.

The fire chief admits they were delayed getting water onto homes, partially because of construction and a water main break in the area.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the city of Chicago Heights wrote in part, "A momentary delay in accessing water at an unresponsive hydrant required CHFD personnel to run additional supply hose lines to alternate, nearby hydrants. ... An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fires."

Campbell's home was one of the six destroyed.

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"There wasn't enough water," Campbell said. "It was a lack of water. There were firemen standing watching the fire burn."

It's unclear whether embers from the initial fire sparked another home across the street or there was something else at play.

The state fire marshal and arson investigators were there investigating that possibility.

"The second fire was across the street," Chicago Heights Fire Chief Wendell Thomas said. "But we can't say whether that was the cause of the second fire."

The Chicago Heights fire chief gives an update after six homes were damaged by a fire.

Campbell said as residents were standing outside, they watched the fire spread from her neighbor's home to hers.

"We were actively trying to find hydrants that were working, and we eventually did," Chief Thomas said. "There was a delay in that. But, once we got those hydrants, we were able to put water on them."

"She would've sustained some damage quite naturally, but my house would've never been touched," Campbell said. "If we had the ample and proper amount of water flowing through here. And it doesn't make any kind of sense."

The home she's lived in for 40 years is now gone. Close family friend Amelia Owens came to support the families impacted.

"It's not a joke; it's not a game. It's not funny; these are lives that have to be rebuilt and put back together," Owens said. "They've been in that house for their whole life; I just pray that God keeps every last one of them covered."

Three of the six homes damaged were unoccupied at the time. Nine people were evacuated, and no injuries were reported.