Authorities were alerted to a fire at a home in the 1500-block of Lowe Avenue at about 11:03 p.m. Tuesday. After arriving to fight that fire, they found homes across the street on fire.
A total of six houses were burned, with three of them unoccupied. Nine people were evacuated from homes and no injuries were reported, the fire chief said.
The fire chief and residents said there were water supply issues because of construction in the area. Residents believe the fire spread because fire crews had trouble getting water to the scene.
"I came outside, the two houses over there were burning," resident Melvin Galloway said. "Within 10 or 15 minutes, they were burned down and collapsed. I ran down the street and knocked on these people's houses down there...all hell broke loose. The whole fire, everything was burning down. No water was here. The tankers had no water. The houses didn't have a chance. "
Chicago Heights fire chief gives update
The fire chief said three of the houses were vacant.
The fire marshal has responded to the scene. It's unclear how the fire started. That is now under investigation.