The Danville Fire Department had to battle two structure fires on Thursday afternoon.
The first fire was shortly before 1 p.m. at 430 Harmon Street. Firefighters found a fully involved two-story vacant house. The fire had spread throughout the home and consumed the attic space area. Firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the fire under control and to protect the surrounding exposures. The aerial truck had to be used after the structure was deemed too dangerous to enter. The house was termed a total loss.
The second incident occurred while firefighters were still on the scene at Harmon Street. Danville Patrol Officers located a fire near the intersection of Davis and Clay Streets. Fire Units responded to the area and found a large two-story vacant home at 519 Franklin heavily involved in fire. The overgrown property hampered firefighting efforts as did a downed live power line in the back yard of the residence.
This location also had two-nearby structures that had to be protected by Danville Firefighters.
The roof on this home had begun to collapse as firefighters worked, therefore the building was deemed to unsafe to enter. An aerial unit was brought in, and an excavator was brought to the scene to assist firefighters bring the building down. The structure is a total loss.
No injuries were reported in either incident. The high temperatures made firefighting extremely difficult. Additional firefighters were called from home to assist with the fires. Ameren was called to assist firefighters secure the properties.
Both fires are considered to be suspicious and are under investigation by the Danville Fire Department. Anyone with information should call the Fire Department main line at (217) 431-2350.
