The shell of a business and several apartments were left after a fire tore thought it, Sunday afternoon.
"It was just amazing to see the flames. The flames were like 50 feet in the air. They actually had to move the fire truck out the way because it was so hot," Ed DePozo said.
Home video showed how quickly the fire grew out of control around 4p.m. Sunday in Whiting, Indiana.
Flames shot out of Lubia's Dress Shop on 119th and Sheridan and into the middle of the street.
"I didn't see no people get out of the building. I seen there was a couple of squad cars, there was people with no coats on inside the squad cars," DePozo added.
The Whiting Fire Chief said here were 10 to 12 apartments in the building. It was unclear how many people were inside, but officials believed all of them got out safely.
The chief spoke of how quickly this fire grew out of control.
"We pulled back out and then the explosion occurred where the front windows completely blew out. And then all of a sudden the fire started rolling up and a mushroom effect started inside the building," Whiting Fire Chief Gus Danielids said.
Residents stood by and watched as a well known building in downtown Whiting engulfed in flames.
"This building is a part of the landscape here. You know, I mean I come shopping here all the time in this area. They're mom and pop shops over here and I hate to see it go," DePozo said.
The fire chief said community leaders were helping the displaced residents. The American Red Cross was also assisting.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:50:46 GMT
The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that the "Apprentice" star lied on the witness stand.
Jurors have withdrawn to begin deliberations about whether Donald Trump cheated an 87-year-old who claims the "Apprentice" star cheated her in property deal.
