CHICAGO (CBS) — A fire at an apartment complex in Woodstock, Illinois, left one person dead and displaced dozens of residents on Tuesday evening.
The fire broke out in the two-story building in the 700 block of St. John’s Road around 10:15 p.m.
Officials said the fast-spreading fire caused significant damage to 12 units in the building. Firefighters battling the fire requested additional units as it was upgraded to a fifth alarm.
The fire brigade extinguished the fire for almost two hours.
One resident, an adult male, suffered life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died, according to fire officials.
The American Red Cross is assisting nearly 30 residents displaced by the fire.
A witness told CBS News Chicago that she saw apartments completely engulfed in flames as residents tried to evacuate, along with dogs and cats.
“A lot of people just lost everything,” neighbor Cassandra Janis said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
