THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
Incident Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Time of Incident: 8:55 PM
Description of Structure/Property: Large Abandoned Church Complex
Alarm Location/Address: 914 Fowler Avenue
Description of Incident:
The Danville Fire Department was called to the 900 Blk of Fowler Avenue in Danville at 8:55 PM on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Upon arrival firefighters reported seeing a large amount of smoke coming from throughout the entire structure and flames coming out of the south Side of the building.
The 15,000 square foot structure was an abandoned former church and school. Firefighters operated on the building for several hours as the metal roof and heavy timber construction of the building made access to the fire difficult. Certain construction features of the building and high humidity conditions plagued firefighters all night as they exhausted nearly the entire resources of the fire department battling the fire.
At one point in the fire, the decision to suspend firefighting operations was made so that an excavator could be brought to the scene to tear off the metal roofing structure that had been preventing firefighters from getting to the seat of the fire. While operations were halted, Ameren was called to the scene to secure the Power and Gas lines to the building.
During this period of the operation, the fire that was occurring in the vast void spaces grew in size and due to the building’s condition prior to this fire and the hazard it would propose to the community if left to stand, the decision was made to raze the building. Owens Excavating began tearing down the building as firefighters controlled the fire around their operation.
Over 35 Firefighters were brought in to control the fire. Firefighters remained on scene for over 12 hours in total as the building was eventually brought to the ground by the fire crews and an excavator.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Danville Fire Investigators, who are being assisted by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office have determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary. Anyone with information regarding this fire should contact the Danville Fire Department at (217) 431-2350.
Fire Units Cleared: 8:57 AM (July 25, 2024)
Fire Cause: Incendiary, Under Investigation
