Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says that the overnight fire Halloween morning at the old Model Star Laundry at 17 North Jackson happened after years of the city trying to keep squatters away from the property. The old Model Star, northeast of Main and Jackson and southeast of Van Buren and Jackson, was targeted as an extra property the city would demolish with money left over from funding set aside for the demolition of Bresee Tower. Another of those properties is 129 North Vermilion, where the city recently knocked out the front wall as part of preparation work for demolition.
A view of the rubble from the old Model Star Laundry fire at 17 North Jackson from across Jackson Street.
The mayor says that despite the surrounding of the old Model Star Laundry with fencing, squatters continued to take shelter in the old structure. When this week’s fire occurred, two squatters had to be rescued. The mayor says that it will probably cost between $300,000 and $400,000 for the post fire cleanup of the massive pile of rubble now on the site. However, since this was originally part of the Bresee demolition project, the clean-up is currently in limbo while the city awaits final results of the bidding for the Bresee Tower project.
THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RELEASE ON THIS INCIDENT
Structure Fire
Incident Date: Thursday October 31, 2024
Time of Incident: 04:15am
Description of Structure/Property: Multi-story, Commercial Building (vacant)
Alarm Location/Address: 17 N. Jackson
Description of Incident:
The Danville Fire Department was called to the 17 N. Jackson St. at 04:15am on Thursday October 31, 2024. Upon arrival firefighters reported seeing a large amount of smoke and flames coming from the Second floor of the building with flames visible through the roof. Crews immediately deployed several hose lines and began to extinguish the fire. The department’s ladder truck was set up and placed into operation putting water onto the fire from the roof area. The fire alarm assignment was upgraded to a third alarm assignment which brought in an additional 15 off-duty fire department personnel to assist. The structure was a large “taxpayer” type building that previously contained a business on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. The fire was contained to the second floor and roof area. Two victims were located in the building adjacent to the fire building on the first floor in an area containing moderate smoke conditions. They were rescued/removed by fire department personnel from the building and handed off to EMS personnel. No injuries were reported, and the subjects were released. The fire was extinguished by fire department personnel and due to the condition of the building a demolition crew was notified to respond and take the building down for safety reasons. Owen’s Excavating responded to the scene to manage demolition.
The property at this location consisted of three separate buildings that were connected by various walkways and shared roofing components. All three buildings have been vacant for over 10 years and were currently owned by the City of Danville. One building, the former Model Star Laundry had suffered a previous partial building collapse. These buildings had been slated for demolition by the City of Danville in the near future but, as a result of the fire incident were brought down expeditiously.
Danville Fire Investigators currently have the fire origin and cause listed as undetermined. Further investigation continues.
Fire Units Cleared: 09:23am
Fire Cause: Undetermined
Injuries: No injuries to fire personnel or civilians were reported
Smoke Alarm Status: No working detectors present.
Estimated Dollar Loss: $ 0
Assisting Agencies: Danville Police, Danville Public Works, Ameren Illinois, AMT Ambulance
Assistant Chief William Ryan
