Video: A Huge Extra-Alarm Fire Razed A West Side Strip Mall

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 13, 2016 3:36PM

A three-alarm fire ravaged an East Garfield Park strip mall on Monday evening. Dramatic footage shows high flames and billowing smoke pouring into the sky above the shopping plaza.

According to authorities, the fire started at around 7:15 p.m. and engulfed the three businesses located at the site, 425 S. Kedzie Ave.: a Family Dollar discount, a J and J Fish restaurant and a beauty salon. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, Larry Langford, Director of CFD News Affairs, told Chicagoist. They were treated for first and second degree burns and released.

Michael Carbone, District Chief of the Chicago Fire Department, told reporters that the roof caved in at one point during the blaze. Firefighters had moved outside the building by that time. The fire was extinguished at about 9:30 p.m., according to CFD Media. Crews are expected to demolish what remains of the building later today, Langford said.