3 firefighters among 4 injured in West Side house fire

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three Chicago firefighters and an 85-year-old woman were injured Monday in a house fire in the Austin neighborhood.

Firefighters responded to the 2-11 alarm fire in the 4800-block of West Van Buren Street shortly before noon. The cause of the fire was still under investigation Monday afternoon, but the fast-moving blaze started in the basement.

The 85-year-old woman suffered smoke inhalation, but her son, Gregory Hughes, said that she will be OK. Hughes' mother, 87-year-old father and sister all escaped safely

One firefighter suffered minor burns and was transported to Stroger Hospital, Chicago Fire Media said. Two other firefighters were transported to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, CFD Media said. A CFD tweet said the firefighters are in "good shape" and expected to be treated and released.

The fire produced so much smoke that the chief called everyone out for safety. A mayday was issued for a missing firefighter, who was later found.

The fire was struck out in less than an hour.

However, the Hughes' family house was completely destroyed.

"As long as my mother, father and sister got out, I'm OK because everything in the house can be replaced," Gregory Hughes said.

The family had been in the house for 50 years.

"A lot of history in that house. We've got a big family so everything will be OK," Hughes said.

The house is located about a half block from South Cicero Avenue, which was briefly blocked off as firefighters battled the blaze.