Around 2:06 a.m. this morning in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood on the west side, a 2-alarm fire broke out on the 2000 block of West 23rd Street in a 2-story frame apartment building, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Chief Kevin MacGregor. Two 2-story frame buildings adjacent to the building where the fire originated also caught on fire but only sustained minor damage, MacGregor said. By 2:20 a.m., the fire was struck out and officials began conducting a search of the building around 3 a.m., MacGregor said. more ›

A 33-year-old man is now paralyzed after saving a woman from falling debris in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood. Rogelio Rodriguez and his wife Amelia were walking down a sidewalk when he noticed debris falling from an exterior wall of a Chase Bank branch and quickly pushed a nearby woman pedestrian out of the way. A split second later, huge chunks of concrete fell on top of him, crushing his spine. Rodriguez was in intensive care until last week, and doctors told his wife he will never walk again. Chase spokesman, Tom Kelly, says the bank has been in talks with the family's attorney and insurance carriers to "reach a solution." Solution meaning "ridiculously huge settlement" no doubt. Our thoughts are with Mr. Rodriguez, a hero in our book. [S-T] more ›