Firefighter hurt, 12 displaced by extra-alarm blaze in West Englewood

A firefighter was hurt and at least 12 South Side residents were displaced by a two-alarm fire in West Englewood, one of two extra-alarm blazes that broke out within half an hour of each other early Thursday.

The first fire started about 1:10 a.m. at a home in the 7300 block of South Paulina and spread to two other houses, police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition, Alfaro said.

Twelve people who lived in the homes were being assisted in finding shelter by the city Department of Human Services, police said.

About 1:40 a.m., the other extra-alarm fire started at an abandoned apartment building in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, according to police. No injuries were reported.

The blazes were under control by 3:25 a.m. and the causes of the fires were under investigation.