Rolling Meadows complex fire still being investigated

A fire at the Saratoga condominium complex in Rolling Meadows Friday night was contained to one unit of the three-story building, but multiple residents were transported to area hospitals for smoke inhalation, authorities said.

Several suburban departments responded to the complex at 5550 Astor Lane around 7 p.m. and the flames were extinguished in about 25 minutes, said Adam Taylor, a Rolling Meadows firefighter-paramedic.

Some residents who were waiting outside the complex on Friday said they didn't hear any fire alarms, but Taylor said alarms were going off when firefighters arrived.

David Zuhlke, 22, who lives on the building's third floor, said he knew there was a fire in the building right away after smelling smoke. He said he tried to pull down fire alarms on the second and third floors, but no sirens were activated.

So he decided to knock on all the doors he could, alerting people to get out of the building.

“I heard him yelling, ‘Fire!' Get out of here!'” neighbor Ann Zickgraff said.

Zuhlke said thick, black smoke quickly accumulated on the building's second floor.

“I can still taste it in my mouth,” he said.

First floor resident George Bravo, who was in the shower when police officers knocked on his door, also said he didn't hear any alarms.

Taylor said the fire was a two-alarm blaze, but further details weren't immediately available as fire officials continued investigating late Friday night.