One person died after a fire in Brighton Park Thursday night, according to Chicago fire officials.
Firefighters responded to a call of a rubbish fire at 5040 S. Campbell Avenue at 6:41 p.m., said Chicago Fire Chief Juan Hernandez. A man, whose age wasn’t known, was found on the first floor of the house and taken to Christ Hospital where he later died.
Due to the thick smoke and heavy fire, firefighters initially had to pull back, Hernandez said. As the fire spread and damaged the homes on either side of the initial building, more than 150 firefighters were called to the scene to assist.
A police officer had tried to knock on the door when the fire was first reported, and before firefighters could arrive, but was turned away until the smoke became heavier, Hernandez said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.