Two elderly residents of a senior citizen apartment complex in Kankakee were injured late Thursday afternoon in a fire at the building at 155 W. Mertens Avenue.

Both victims were flown to a Chicago hospital burn unit after they were rescued from the structure.

Kankakee Fire Chief Damon Schuldt estimated damage in excess of $50,000. No other injury was reported.

The fire, ruled accidental, is under investigation. Firemen answered the call at 5:15 pm.

Other occupants of the building were able to stay in their apartments after a private company provided clean-up operations.

94.1 WGFA