JUST IN: Multiple People Hospitalized After Building Explosion in South Austin, Chicago (VIDEO)
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JUST IN: Multiple People Hospitalized After Building Explosion in South Austin, Chicago (VIDEO)

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JUST IN: Multiple People Hospitalized After Building Explosion in South Austin, Chicago (VIDEO)

According to a press release issued by the Chicago Fire Department on Tuesday morning, multiple people were hospitalized after a building explosion located in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago, IL resulted in the collapse of the structure.

“There was an explosion at Central & West End,” Chicago Fire Department announced on Twitter. “Adjacent building is being evacuated. There are a number of transports. Update to follow with transport info. No further info at this time.”

“ATF is on scene to assist. As is CPD bomb unit. Six transports so far searches underway. Three victims serious to critical.”

According to a recent report from the Fire Department, eight persons have been taken to the hospital.

Watch the videos below:

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First responders were on the scene at a three-story, 36-unit apartment building just before 9:30 a.m. at the 5600 block of West West End Avenue after a portion of the top floor collapsed. At least 10 ambulances were at the location.

“Our first concern is the health, well-being and safety of our residents,” Roman Viere, owner of the building, said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to cooperate with emergency services, and we are ready to do whatever we can to support our residents.”

The building next door was evacuated, according to fire officials.

A woman who was near the building when the explosion happened said she thought it was a bomb that went off.

Several people who lived in the building said they were home when the explosion happened. They said the explosion rocked the entire building.

“I was asleep, and all of a sudden there was a loud booming,” Lawrence Lewis, who was asleep at the time the explosion happened, said. “I woke up to my windows gone, my front door blown open. I just saw smoke, and I ran out of the house. I was asleep. I’m shook up right now.”

Some people who left not long before the explosion said they smelled something in the hallway.

People’s Gas said there is no reason to believe this is a gas explosion. The fire department reportedly told them there was no odor of gas or equipment issues.

This is a developing story. Please come back for updates.

The post JUST IN: Multiple People Hospitalized After Building Explosion in South Austin, Chicago (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Author: Jim Hoft