Fire at Chicago's John Hancock Center Injures 5

CHICAGO — A fire broke out Saturday afternoon on the 50th floor of the John Hancock Center, one of this city’s tallest skyscrapers, but was quickly brought under control. Chicago Fire Department officials said five people, including a police officer, sustained minor injuries. John McNicholas, a deputy fire commissioner, said the fire had been contained within a half-hour. He said the injuries included smoke inhalation and a twisted ankle. The 100-story Hancock tower includes offices, residential units and a rooftop observation deck that is one of the most popular tourist destinations here. The tower stands on Michigan Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the city, and the fire drew scores of spectators, many standing behind barricades that had been put up along the sidewalk for the annual lights festival parade. For a time, flames and smoke billowed out of the upper floors as a steady snow fell. No smoke or fire was visible on the lower floors, and people continued shopping at the Best Buy and North Face stores on the ground level even as firefighters worked above them. Mr. McNicholas said that the fire’s cause remained under investigation and that crews planned to move their fire trucks off Michigan Avenue in time for the parade Saturday night.