A wind-whipped fire Sunday evening (March 17, 2024) destroyed one Danville home and threatened some others. Assistant Fire Chief Todd Spicer says heavy flames were coming from three sides of a vacant home at 314 Chandler Street when firefighters arrived on the scene. They also found that embers from that fire had set a field on fire across the street and some leaves on fire in the gutter of a house across the street.
(Danville Firefighters work at the scene of Sunday evening’s blaze.)
Firefighters doused the field and leaf fires and had to protect three houses as they attacked flames at the vacant home that was destroyed. Spicer says the cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no injuries.
(A part of a front wall and a brick chimney were all that was left of a vacant Danville home that was destroyed by fire late Sunday. (Photos and story by Bill Pickett.)
RELEASES BY DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Wind Blown Fire Creates Problems for Firefighters
Event Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024
Time of Incident: 5:27 PM
Description of Structure/Property: 1-story, wooden frame home (Vacant)
Description of Incident:
Danville Firefighters responded to a reported large fire in the 300 Blk of Chandler Street Sunday, March 17, 2024, around 5:27 pm. Firefighters arrived to find the building at 314 Chandler to be heavily involved in fire. The first arriving crews attacked the large house fire, while additional arriving firefighters battled several spot fires that were occurring from the embers being blown around from the main fire, including on the roof of a nearby residence and many ground fires.
The high winds contributed significantly to the spread of the spot fires.
The fire was eventually brought under control. The home was a total loss.
Firefighters remained on scene until 8:04 PM.
Fire Cause: The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Injuries: No injuries were reported.
Smoke Alarm Status: Smoke Detector(s): No working detectors present.
Estimated Dollar Loss: $ 5,000
Assisting Agencies: Ameren Illinois, Arrow Ambulance, Danville Street Department
Fire Chief Aaron Marcott
Quick Action Leads to Pet Rescues
Event Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Time of Incident: 4:18 PM
Description of Structure/Property: 1-story, wooden frame home (Occupied)
Description of Incident:
Danville Firefighters responded to a reported residence on fire Saturday, March 16, 2024, around 4:18 pm.
Upon arrival firefighters encountered a large amount of smoke coming from the residence. The occupants of the residence who had discovered and escaped the fire were outside when firefighters arrived. They reported that two dogs remained inside the building.
Firefighters immediately entered the building and began searching the residence for the pets. Firefighters from Danville’s Ladder Company quickly located the pets and passed them outside to awaiting firefighters. It was discovered that one of the dogs was not breathing at the time. The dog was given oxygen therapy and recovered from the incident.
The fire was extinguished, and firefighters remained on scene to clean up and extinguish any remaining hot spots. The American Red Cross was notified to assist family displaced by the fire.
Firefighters remained on scene until 6:13 PM.
Fire Cause: The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Injuries: No injuries were reported.
Smoke Alarm Status: Smoke Detector(s): No working detectors present.
Estimated Dollar Loss: $ 26,000.00
