Illinois Condo Failed Inspection Days Before Extra-Alarm Fire

An extra-alarm fire recently took place at a South Shore condominium. Later on, it was revealed that the building failed a fire alarm inspection a mere three days prior.

Extra-Alarm Fire Shakes Up High-Rise

Lakefront Place Condo, a high-rise in South Shore, experienced an extra-alarm fire early this month. And, according to records, just three days earlier, the building failed a fire alarm inspection.

The Fire Department ordered the building’s management to test the alarm and evacuation system and provide a report. The department also required management to have a contractor fix the alarm panel and the fire pump, which was malfunctioning. The fire pump is what first responders typically connect with to tend to a fire that’s several floors above ground.

“It’s not surprising to me,” resident Vincent Rose told CBS News. “It has been problematic issues over the years for me and other residents in the building.”

Records also show multiple violations concerning heating.

An Ongoing Issue

Residents of the condo have raised their concerns over fire safety in the building for years. While the condo installed a new fire alarm system, the system failed in early May.

“It looks like it’s supposed to work, but something didn’t happen,” resident Dr. Tanya Ratcliff said. “In my bathroom, there was smoke just accumulating in the ceiling, and so I could see the smoke coming out of the vent.”

Ratcliff recalled that the alarm only went off after more than 10 minutes had passed. By that time, she was already downstairs and the Fire Department already arrived.

“I had time to walk down from 14th floor to the lobby – and there was no alarm going off,” Ratcliff said. “That’s a long walk.”

Residents have been clamoring for a better alarm and sprinkler system. For a building that old, though, sprinklers are not mandatory as long as the Life Safety Evaluation approves.

According to officials, approximately 150 firefighters responded to the emergency. There were no reported injuries.