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Chicago firefighter hurt in fire started by heater

He was in stable condition and doing well at a local hospital

By Cheryl V. Jackson
The Chicago Sun-Times

CHICAGO — A firefighter was injured battling a Sunday morning house fire in the South Side Gresham neighborhood.

The fire started about 9:15 a.m. in the basement of a house in the 8400 block of South Carpenter, Fire Media Affairs Cmdr. Will Knight said.

The fire spread up through the roof and caused “very significant damage” before being controlled about 10:35 a.m., Knight said.

The fire was caused by a space heater placed too close to furniture, Langford said.

Despite the low temperatures and strong winds, firefighters did not encounter freezing hydrants.

A firefighter injured battling the blaze was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was in stable condition and doing well Sunday night, Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.

The house’s residents were outside before firefighters arrived, and there were no other injuries, he said.

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