2-unit apartment fire displaces several families in Summit

SUMMIT, Ill. (WLS) -- An apartment fire Saturday left several families homeless in southwest suburban Summit.

Flames shot from the roof of an apartment complex in the 7600-block of West 61st Place at 2:30 a.m. as crews worked to get the fire under control.

Clemente Quesada said he realized something was wrong when he heard his neighbors screaming.

Authorities said several families live in the building and helped each other escape the two-unit fire.

Carlos Hernandez, 13, and his mother picked through the debris in search of anything that survived the fire.

"To see it gone, all my stuff, what we've earned destroyed," said Hernandez.

The Summit Fire Department said a fire fighter suffered minor injuries and dehydration.

The Red Cross said they provided assistance to eight adults and five children who were displaced.

Summit fire officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation.