Firefighter falls through staircase in West Englewood fire

SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - A firefighter fell through a staircase while battling a house fire in the West Englewood neighborhood Wednesday evening on the South Side.

A mayday was called for the fire at a home in the 6900 block of South Paulina about 5:40 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department, meaning a firefighter had been reported lost or trapped.

The firefighter had been backing down the staircase as it collapsed, so he was able to slow his fall, fire officials said. He then climbed out and didn’t need medical treatment.

No one else was hurt as the fire was brought under control by 6 p.m.