More than 100 firefighters were quick to the scene of a Prospect Heights fire that broke out right across the street from their station on Wednesday.

The fire chief says the short distance to the Washington Avenue blaze made a big difference in safely getting everyone out of the seven-story residential building.

Chopper 12 was overhead after the fire started at around 8:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of the building. Officials say the smoke was so bad that a few firefighters got lost inside because they couldn't see.

Frightened residents ran across the street to the firehouse and started banging on the door, screaming "fire!" Residents say several elderly women had to be carried out of the building because the elevator was not working.

Five firefighters and another person were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The cause is now under investigation.