1 killed in West Side apartment building fire, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man was killed in an apartment fire in the West Garfield Park neighborhood Tuesday morning, Chicago police said.

The fire broke out around 1 a.m. in the 300-block of South Kilpatrick Avenue.

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"When the first companies arrived they encountered heavy fire coming from a third floor apartment at the 321 address," CFD Deputy District Chief for the 4th District said.

Police said thirteen adults and ten children were able to evacuate the building without being injured.

A man in his 50s was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he, was pronounced dead, police said.

The fire chief said search and rescue crews went inside the building and found the victim.

"We did find a victim that we were able to bring down, an ambulance transported the victim to Stroger Hospital," Chief Pinkston said.

Heavy damage could be seen at the top levels of the building. Some of the windows are completely missing and the exterior is charred.

Crews also took care of animals at the scene. Police officers and firefighters could be seen holding and calming down at least two dogs that were wrapped in blankets.

"There were several animals that we provided oxygen too in the front line of the building, and several families that were displaced from the actual fire," Chief Pinkston said.

The Red Cross responded to the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.