Fires are a fact of life, but Chicago has had a string of notable structures catch ablaze within the past few months. In August, a fire destroyed Lincoln Lanes, then a blaze at the Adobo Grill in Piper's Alley caused major damage to Second City. Earlier this week, the Abbey Pub caught fire, causing damage that forced the Irving Park venue to cancel several shows this weekend.
Earlier this afternoon, flames engulfed a corner of the 50th floor of the John Hancock building, causing police to close Michigan Avenue as firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze. Smoke could be seen pouring out of the building, coming from a residential floor of the 100-story tower. Thankfully, only one person was reported to be injured and was transported to the nearby Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
At 3:40pm, the Chicago Fire Department announced that the fire was out as firefighters began sweeping each floor of the building to look for anyone else who might have been injured.
As of this writing, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which takes place on Michigan Avenue, seems to be going forward as originally planned.
175 E Delaware 2-11 alarm fire is out. pic.twitter.com/QbLucQlE6o
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 21, 2015
View from my apartment building. Fire in the John Hancock building @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/NbB41FtPfz
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) November 21, 2015
There's a fire at John Hancock Center #chicago pic.twitter.com/IeHhaL32kF
— Alexandra Riegler (@bleiwueste) November 21, 2015
There is smoke coming out of the John Hancock Tower in downtown Chicago. Lots of fire trucks on the scene. pic.twitter.com/BAv4XOYnVB
— Mitch Smith (@MitchKSmith) November 21, 2015
Firefighters, police blocking access to Hancock Tower pic.twitter.com/psNPxA5ak9
— Gregory Pratt (@royalpratt) November 21, 2015