At approximately 02:24 AM Thursday morning, Danville Fire Department units were dispatched to the area of 421 Sherman after a third-party caller reported a large amount of smoke. Danville Police Department units arrived first and confirmed the structure at 421 Sherman Street was on fire.
Engine 1 arrived to find the structure fully involved in fire and initiated a defensive attack using a 2½-inch hose line. protecting nearby exposures. The structure had a significant setback from the street and many overhead obstructions, including a downed power line at the rear of the building. A second alarm was requested, along with a fire investigator.
Ameren retired all utilities to allow for the safe demolition of the structure after suppression and investigation activities concluded. All on-duty fire suppression crews cleared from the scene at 6:18 a.m. Investigators remained on scene until 10:21 AM this morning.
The cause of the fire is believed to be incendiary, and the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is assisting. Danville Fire Department with an investigation.