A fire broke out in a 15-story high-rise near Erie and the Kennedy on Monday, prompting a big response from the Fire Department and causing delays on the expressway.
The fire happened around 4:20 p.m. at 1170 W. Erie St., according to the Chicago Fire Department. The building is right next to the Kennedy Expressway, and caused a gaper's delay in the inbound lanes from about Irving Park.
A still-and-box alarm and an EMS Plan 1 were called, sending several fire trucks and ambulances to the scene, including a Fire Department helicopter. The fire was under control before 5 p.m.
The fire appeared to have been on one side of the building, on the sixth floor. Smoke and flames were visible from the Sky5 helicopter over the scene. The flashlights of firefighters were seen inside the building near the fire, and crews had apparently broken out several windows.
The building is a government-assisted living facility, NBC Chicago's Anna Davlantes reported. The building was evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.
Tamara Toombs, an employee of the building, said a teenager went down to the lobby and told her a fire had started in a closet in her unit, and employees called 911, the Chicago Tribune reported.
