Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

A fire was reported at a large apartment building just before midnight Wednesday in the 6100-block of South Wabash Avenue. Fire officials said that in an effort to escape the blaze, an 8-year-old girl threw a mattress from a third floor window and managed to jump onto it to safety. She was home alone with two other younger children.

When firefighters arrived, they found a 4-year-old boy hanging out one of the windows, ready to jump, and were able to rescue him using a ladder. They also found a 2-year-old boy inside and got him out safely. It’s unclear if the children were trying to cook or trying to stay warm. The children were transported to Comer Children’s Hospital in serious condition but are expected to recover. They remained stable but some suffered from smoke inhalation.

Chicago police said their mother was located and there are no charges. She told police she was at work and someone was supposed to be watching the children while she was gone.

The Department of Children and Family Services is investigating.

From Chicago Fire Media @CFDMedia:

6147 wabash still and box and EMS plan 1. Apartment building. One patient so far.

6147 wabash. Multi building housing development. Fire in one unit contained and put out. Three kids in fire apartment being evaluated. Seem to be ok. EMS plan 1 secured. Warming bus ordered from CTA

6147 Wabash apartment fire . The children a girl age ten and two boys 4 and 2 were inside. The girl threw a mattress from third floor window and jumped. 4 year old rescued at window by ladder. CFD also got 2 year old from inside all taken to Comer serious. No adult at home.

CFD Media photo

CFD Media photo

CFD Media photo

Tags: 8-year-old jumps from third floor window to escape fire, apartment fire in Chicago, Chicago Fire Department