Woman killed, firefighters injured in Chicago high-rise fire; cause under investigation

CHICAGO - A fire sent flames shooting out windows of a high-rise apartment building early Monday, killing one woman and injuring eight firefighters. <br> <br> The cause of the fire on the 14th floor of the 47-building was not immediately determined, Fire Department spokesman Patrick Howe said. It broke out around 12:30 a.m. <br> <br> The firemen were injured when they opened a door. <br> <br> &#34;The fire had vented itself through the windows and came roaring out the door and got the firemen right in the doorway,&#34; Fire Commissioner James Joyce said. <br> <br> The victim was a woman in her 50&#39;s, the Cook County medical examiner&#39;s office said. Investigators were still working to identify her. Three firemen were in serious condition and were being treated for burns, and five others were in good condition, Howe said. <br> <br> The building, on Chicago&#39;s near north side, has 407 apartments and is home to about 800 people. <br> <br> Carol and Ron Shapiro were among the residents who escaped, walking down stairs from their 34th-floor apartment. <br> <br> &#34;The problem really was not knowing whether we were supposed to go up or down,&#34; Carol Shapiro said. &#34;We were not getting any messages or hearing anything. It was smoky, but people were looking out for the people behind them and the people in front of them. Neighbors were incredible.&#34; <br> <br> <br>

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