Crime & Safety

Fiery Car Crash Damages Two Western Avenue Storefronts

Three people were sent to the hospital, but are reported in stable condition.

A fiery car crash that sent three people to the hospital has left a permanent scar on Western Avenue. 

Fire crews were called the scene around 3 a.m. Sunday after an SUV rear-ended a Chevrolet traveling northbound on the street. 

The driver of the SUV ran out of the vehicle while the Chevrolet continued northbound and came to a stop on the 4500 block of North Western Avenue. After a man and women exited the car, it became engulfed in flames. 

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All three adults were taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital and are in stable condition, said Officer John Mirabelli from the Chicago Police Department Office of News Affairs. 

The intensity of the fire was so extreme, it caused the glass windows at 4539 N. Western Ave. to melt, he said. Luckily, the former chiropractic office has been empty for the last few months. 

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Another damaged storefront is home to the Vital Ki Holistic Center at 4541 N. Western Ave. Owner Victoria Konidaris said she got a call early Sunday morning and arrived to a scene of chaos. 

A crowd of people had gathered to watch a car in flames next to piles of debris and scorched sidewalk.  

The green door to Konidaris's business was completely destroyed, but she expects to be open again on Tuesday. 

"Our building looks awful," Konidaris said as she was out cleaning burn marks off the windows Monday afternoon. 

A nearby parked car also sustained damages of a melted bumper and headlight, Mirabelli said. 


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