A building collapsed Tuesday morning on Chicago’s West Side after a nearby explosion, and fire officials called for a mass ambulance to help after multiple injuries were confirmed and the search continued for people who may still be inside the building. The collapse happened shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday at West Washington Boulevard and North Central Avenue, fire officials said on Twitter. Injuries were confirmed and 10 ambulances were called, according to authorities. “Manpower requested for structure investigations,” the Chicago Fire Department tweeted. The department tweeted that there was an explosion on North Central Avenue and West End Avenue. The adjacent building was evacuated as of 9:50 a.m., according to authorities. Fire officials tweeted “this is a confirmed explosion,” but the source of the explosion was not immediately known. At least eight people were taken to nearby hospitals, fire officials said, at least three of them in critical condition. Fire officials said the cause of the explosion was not immediately known. Peoples Gas and ComEd confirmed both companies responded to the scene, but it was unclear if it was natural gas. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted that her thoughts were with the injured and firefighters working at the scene. “My thoughts are with those injured and displaced by the building collapse in the Austin neighborhood. We must also thank the brave men and women of the Chicago Fire Department who are working to mitigate the dangerous conditions,” he wrote. This is breaking news. Please check back for the latest updates.
