CHICAGO — Two women were taken hostage inside their Chicago apartment building early yesterday, sparking a police stand-off that stretched more than 14 hours.The women were being held by a gunman in his 20s or 30s who fired at police at least once, and officers were negotiating with the suspect by phone, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

“We don’t actually know what precipitated it,” Bond said. “Time’s on our side in situations like this. Hopefully it’ll be resolved soon and the outcome will be a safe one.”

Police believe the man is armed with a semiautomatic weapon. Police 1st Deputy Dana Starks declined to say how many shots he fired.

“We’re trying to ensure that there are no injuries,” said Starks. Bond said the man’s family was on the scene helping police negotiators.

The stand-off in the city’s South Shore neighbourhood began about 2.30 a.m. after an emergency call about gunshots in the building. The police department’s hostage barricade terrorist team responded, and officers surrounded the three-flat building, police said.

No injuries were reported, Bond said. She described the female hostages as young adults, but did not know their ages or relationship to the gunman.

Police surrounded the building, which sits among brick houses and apartment buildings. Authorities also closed several blocks and surrounded the scene with yellow police tape while neighbours walked by with groceries.

Gwendolyn Hodges, 48, who lives in the building where the hostages were being held, said she spent the morning in her car, waiting to be allowed inside so she could start preparing for a Thanksgiving meal with her family.

“This is ridiculous,” she said. “What kind of holiday is this for people?”