Danville Fire Investigators have concluded that a blaze which destroyed a home in the 900 block of North Jackson Wednesday night (July 14, 2021) was arson. Fire Chief Don McMasters says heavy flames were coming from the vacant home at 916 North Jackson Street when firefighters arrived shortly after 7:30 p.m.
Chief McMasters notes there was no electric or gas service to the house at the time of the fire. Firefighters had to take a defensive stance as they tried to keep flames from reaching some high tension power lines next to the residence.
The location of the blaze was at the corner of Jackson and Sidell Streets – one block north of Danville High School. The house was owned by the City of Danville and had been on a list of residences to be demolished. Since an excavator was called in to assist with extinguishing the blaze it was decided the site would be immediately cleared.
There were no injuries. Firefighters received the alarm at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday and were on the scene for four hours.
