Just after 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, Evanston firefighters responded to the 300 block of Dempster Street for the report of an automatic fire alarm in a residential multi-story structure.
First arriving companies encountered moderate smoke and fire conditions on the third floor of the structure. Due to a quick and aggressive offensive attack and fire sprinkler activation, the fire was extinguished and contained to the unit of origin approximately 10 minutes after crews arrived on scene.
One middle-aged female was found unresponsive in the apartment, pulseless and non-breathing. Fire crews quickly removed the victim to safety and began resuscitative efforts on scene. En route to a local area hospital, paramedics were successful in resuscitating the victim. She is currently in the intensive care unit. There were no reported firefighter injuries.
Additional equipment from neighboring municipalities assisted the City of Evanston station coverage while EFD units battled the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.