Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
A firefighter fell through a staircase while battling a house fire in the West Englewood neighborhood Wednesday evening on the South Side.
A mayday was called for the fire at a home in the 6900 block of South Paulina about 5:40 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department, meaning a firefighter had been reported lost or trapped.
The firefighter had been backing down the staircase as it collapsed, so he was able to slow his fall, fire officials said. He then climbed out and didn’t need medical treatment.
thanks Dan
From CFD Media on Twitter:
STILL AND BOX 6943 Paulina details to follow MAYDAY MAYDAY
Update. Mayday secure. Firefighter fell thru stairway. He is OK. No transport. All members are GOOD. LANGFORD
Update. One civilian not accounted for. May be a squatter. Searches underway. 6943 Pauline
Awaiting report of final search to account for possible missing squatter. EMS plan secure. Mayday secure. All FF are PAR
ff was backing out as a stairway collapsed. He Went down but was able to slow fall and climb out
Final search negative at 6943 Paulina no injuries !