1 hospitalized after fire breaks out at south suburban retirement community

HAZEL CREST, Ill. — One person was hospitalized after a fire broke out at a south suburban retirement community on Wednesday afternoon.

Just after 3 p.m. crews with the Hazel Crest Fire-Rescue Department were called to the Waterford Estates Retirement Community in the 17400 block of South Kedzie Avenue following a report that a fire had broken out.

Crews arrived on the scene and spotted smoke emanating from a second-floor patio door and an employee who appeared distressed could also be seen coughing and calling for help from the balcony.

Crews quickly moved on the unit and deployed a ladder truck and were able to get to the employee, who was then assessed for injuries.

As a precaution, Fire and EMS assessed eight people for potential smoke inhalation. One of the residents was taken to the hospital for evaluation, while all seven others declined additional treatment.

According to fire officials, the blaze, which had been extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system by the time crews arrived, was contained to a single unit.

“The Hazel Crest Fire-Rescue Department is grateful for the swift response and collaboration of our neighboring Fire Departments and EMS units. Their professionalism and dedication were instrumental in the successful resolution of this incident,” a spokesperson for the Hazel Crest Fire-Rescue Department said in a news release.

Officials said it was determined that the fire was started accidentally and damage estimates are currently unavailable.

All residents impacted by the blaze have since been able to return to their units.

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