A second-alarm fire ripped through a 3-1/2 story Lincoln Square residential building this afternoon, displacing residents and snarling traffic.

No injuries were reported in the blaze at 5114 N. Western. The fire, which was reported around 2 p.m., extended to neighboring buildings on both sides.

Fire crews arrived on the scene to find heavy flames at the rear of the building. All of the occupants had escaped at that point, said Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff.

Firefighters initially attempted to attack the blaze from inside the building, but faced "overwhelming" flames on the third floor and in the attic, said Hoff.

They withdrew and used aerial water streams to extinguish the flames. Cold also rendered some hydrants difficult to open, hampering the Fire Department's efforts.

The city's Department of Human Services was working on finding housing for the building's residents, said Hoff.

It was not immediately clear how many people lived in the building.

The fire was declared under control at 3 p.m. Its cause is under investigation.

Earlier in the day, the department responded to another second-alarm blaze at 10020 S. Aberdeen.

Nobody was injured in that fire, which the department said was caused by a clothing left atop a space heater.

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