Arson Suspected In South Side Fire

CHICAGO (STNG) - Two buildings were destroyed in an extra-alarm fire in the Burnside neighborhood on the South Side early Monday. Arson is suspected.

The fire was burning in the 9300 block of S. Cottage Grove Ave., Fire Media Affairs Spokesman Will Knight said.

The building at 9353 Cottage Grove was a two-story vacant building and the building at 9357 Cottage Grove housed a meat and produce market. Both buildings were destroyed and will have to be torn down, Knight said.

The fire originated in the building at 9353 Cottage Grove. Arson investigators were called in because the fire appeared to have started in three separate areas of the vacant building, Knight said.

A & M Meat Market is located at the 9357 address, according to a Yellow Pages online directory.

No one was in either of the buildings and no injuries were reported.

The fire was elevated to a 2-11 alarm about 4 a.m. and was struck out shortly after 5 a.m., according to Knight.

The fire was initially reported at 3:11 a.m. when someone called and said they saw flames shooting out of the structure, police said.

Authorities remain on the scene as of 5 a.m., according to a Gresham District sergeant.