CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A three-story apartment building in Champaign has been declared uninhabitable following a roof fire, reported the Champaign Fire Department. The incident, which occurred amid severe storms, resulted in smoke and flames being observed from the building’s roof. Firefighters swiftly responded, using multiple hose lines to extinguish the blaze that was contained to one apartment but caused significant damage.
Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom confirmed that the affected apartment was occupied, though fortunately, no residents were present during the fire. “The fire was contained to the building, and our crews managed to prevent its spread further,” Chief Quarnstrom stated. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by authorities.
According to an on-scene report by WCIA, the fire originated after a powerline fell onto the roof of the apartment building situated near South Mattis Avenue and Henry Street. Emergency crews arrived promptly after receiving the call just after 3:40 p.m., deploying chainsaws to gain access to the affected area of the roof.
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As of now, the fire has been fully extinguished, and efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of the building. WCIA is awaiting further details from the Champaign Fire Department regarding the incident.
In light of this event, residents are reminded by officials to maintain functional smoke detectors in all parts of their residences to ensure early detection of fires and prompt evacuation when necessary.
