Waukegan apartment fire leaves two homeless

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:16AM

WAUKEGAN — Two residents were forced out of their apartments after a fire Monday afternoon that was apparently started by workmen.

The five-unit apartment at 715 8th Street, had a lot of smoke showing in an attic apartment when firefighters arrived just after 2:30 p.m., authorities said.

Two apartments could not be inhabited. Another was vacant and two more apartments were approved to have the residents move back in after the fire.

The use of a propane torch to sweat plumbing pipes together accidently started a fire in some building materials in a hidden area between the first and second floor of the house turned into an apartment unit.

There were no injuries.