The Bronzeville building fire has since been put out, though firefighters have continued to pour water on it and are keeping an eye on hot spots.
The Chicago Fire Department got the call around 3:40 p.m., and by then, the fire was on all floors of the three-story home in the 4500 block of South Michigan Avenue.
Flames shoot out of Bronzeville building
"The flames were very, very intense. Honestly, you can see ash, smoke for quite a while. Even inside, I really went and closed all the windows so the ash and smoke wouldn't come inside," said neighbor Anthony White.
Firefighters had to take a defensive position because of the intensity of the flames. They did not report any injuries, but also said they haven't been able to conduct a search of the house for any victims.
Officials and neighbors said the home was boarded up and vacant, and there's been an issue with squatters recently. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"I just want to make sure people are safe. I care about the community. I want people to make sure people are safe, and no one is hurt, and the firemen are safe," said Darlene Eavy-Morris, another neighbor.
Neighbors said the block is a historic one in Bronzeville, with several homes over a century old. The age and history of this particular house is unclear, but it appears to be older. They said it's sad to see a house like this go up in flames.