A fire broke out in an apartment on the 50th floor of the John Hancock Building Saturday afternoon (Nov. 21, 2015) on Michigan Avenue as thousands prepared to watch the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival that included a parade of 40 floats in anticipation of the holiday season.
Five people were injured, most suffering smoke inhalation. Among the injured was a Chicago police officer. The apartment dweller where the fire broke out reportedly got out safely. Shoppers and tourists saw fire and smoke billowing from the apartment as record snow fell.
The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. and quickly escalated to a two alarm fire because it is a high rise. The building, 100 stories high, houses apartments, offices and stores.
The cause of the blaze that the Chicago Fire Department reported destroyed much of the apartment is still under investigation. The building was not evacuated during the fire.
To see video of the blaze, view CNN’s coverage of the fire CNN’s coverage of the fire.