Chicago Shopping Plaza Leveled By Blaze

An extra-alarm fire leveled a West Side shopping plaza Monday night, pouring heavy smoke through the East Garfield Park neighborhood and causing minor injuries to two firefighters. The fire broke out around 7:15 p.m. at a plaza at 425 S. Kedzie Ave. that housed a Family Dollar store, a J and J Fish restaurant and a beauty salon, authorities said. As the fire spread, it was raised to a 3-11, sending extra firefighters and equipment. It was extinguished about 9:25 p.m., according to fire officials. One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion while another suffered minor burns after a burst of flames from the beauty store, said District Chief Michael Carbone.