Firefighter hurt, residents displaced in Evanston fire

A firefighter was injured and multiple families were displaced in a fire Monday afternoon at a townhouse in north suburban Evanston.

Crews were called about 3:20 p.m. for reports of a fire at the two-story townhouse in the 800 block of Sherman Avenue, according to a statement from the Evanston Fire Department. They arrived to find heavy smoke and fire venting from a first-floor window of the unit, which had two other units attached to it.

Firefighters found heavy smoke throughout the structure and fire in the basement and on the first floor, authorities said. The residents, who reported the fire, had safely exited the building on their own.

The fire was under control by 4:20 p.m. and extinguished by 4:51 p.m., the fire department said. Families from all three units were displaced and the American Red Cross assisted them with finding shelter.

One firefighter was injured in the incident, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.