Holly MatkinChicago, IL – An explosion at a Chicago building left multiple victims in critical condition on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at West End Avenue and Washington Boulevard shortly before 9 a.m. on Sept. 20, WFLD reported.
At least ten ambulances responded to the three-story, 36-unit apartment building, according to WGN.
City officials said at least six people were rushed to area hospitals in the wake of the explosion, WFLD reported.
Three males and one female were transported to West Suburban Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition, the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) said.
Two males were rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital and Loyola Hospital in critical condition, according to WFLD.
First responders were still searching for additional victims who had been inside the building at the time of the explosion.
There was an explosion at Central & West End. Adjacent building is being evacuated. There are a number of transports. Update to follow with transport info. No further info at this time. 0 pic.twitter.com/Wmol70blSU
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 20, 2022
The CFD said the cause of the blast is still unknown.
“This is a confirmed explosion but source of explosion not known,” the agency tweeted.
The building next to the location where the blast occurred was also evacuated, according to WGN.
The Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) Bomb Unit and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are assisting with the ongoing investigation, WFLD reported.
The CFD shared videos and photos from the scene that showed a portion of the top floor of a residential building that was destroyed in the explosion.
BREAKING: Six people have been transported from the west side Chicago building explosion, including several in critical condition. CFD now requesting 10 ambulances. Adjacent building being evacuated.
— Steve Grzanich (@SteveGrzanich) September 20, 2022
Bricks and other debris landed on top of nearby vehicles and could be seen piled up on the roadway below the building.
“Our first concern is the health, well-being and safety of our residents,” the building owner, Roman Viere, told WGN in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to cooperate with emergency services, and we are ready to do whatever we can to support our residents.”
Update. Unit 8812 mass casualty EMS bus now heading to Washington and Central. This is a confirmed explosion but source of explosion not known. ATF is on scene to assist. As is CPD bomb unit. Six transports so far searches underway. Three victims serious to critical. 7
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 20, 2022
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