CFD battles large fire at South Side furniture store; firefighter injured

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago fire crews battled a large fire at a South Side furniture store Thursday night, and one firefighter was injured.

CFD responded to the blaze at Elegant Furniture & Linen about 6 p.m.

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The store is located near 112th Street and Michigan Avenue in Roseland.

Large flames and heavy black smoke could be seen coming from the building, as firefighters battled the fire for hours.

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Chicago fire officials said one firefighter was injured, but is expected to be OK.

No other injuries have been reported.

The owner of the store, Ahmad Zoubi, said he had to escape the fire.

Zoubi said 13 years of a successful furniture business went up in smoke. He came to America from Jordan 25 years ago.

“I called the fire department,” Zoubi said. “And not five minutes, they come in, the fire starts crazy.”

The owner said he was in his store with four others getting ready to close around 6 p.m. when they suddenly smelled smoke from the basement. Everyone inside, including his wife, quickly ran for their lives.

“It has heavy fire load, one of the more dangerous fires you can go to is, is a commercial building with mattresses and furniture that are flammable,” Chicago Fire Department Deputy Commissioner Brian Hamel said.

Firefighters attacked the flames, but soon realized it was a lost cause. Mattresses and other highly flammable materials were simply overwhelming to first responders, and it was soon realized that a firefighter was injured and lost in the building-

After the initial flames, the fire kept burning inside for hours. CFD said the building will have to be demolished, and with it, a family business that was proud to call Roseland home.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.