Danville firefighters were put to the test Thursday morning when fire broke out in two structures within an hour of each other.
The first incident occurred at 4:50 a.m. in an occupied 2 1/2 house at 128 Kentucky Avenue.
Fire officials reported that one occupant escaped the fire in their home when they smelled smoke inside the building and called 911.
Firefighters arrived to find a large amount of smoke coming from the structure. They were advised that everyone got out of the home safely. Firefighters advanced a line to the 2nd story of the home and found fire in the wall and attic space of the home. The house was quickly searched.
The fire, which is believed to have started from a wood stove on the first floor, had extended up the wall and into the spaces above. The home had no power service.
The Red Cross was notified and was assisting the resident before firefighters left the scene.
No injuries were reported.
No working smoke detectors were present.
The estimated dollar loss was set at $12,500.
Assisting agencies were Ameren Illinois, Arrow Ambulance, Aqua, and Danville Police Department.
The second incident occurred at 5:53 a.m. in a 2 1/2 story, wood-framed home that was unoccupied at 1503 Griggs St. Firefighters were still working the Kentucky Avenue fire at the time.
Firefighters had been called back to cover the city while the first incident was occurring and a unit from Kentucky Street responded to the Griggs Street fire.
Upon arrival, a large fire was extending from the rear of the building. Danville police assisted firefighters by knocking on nearby homes and evacuating residents living close by. Neighbors reported to police that squatters would come and go from the home, so firefighters performed a quick search on the first floor.
Facing high heat and smoke conditions, firefighters left the residence temporarily to bring the fire under control. They then re-entered the home and completed a search of the second floor as soon as conditions allowed. No one was located in the home.
Firefighters remained on scene extinguishing multiple hidden fires. The home was destroyed. Two nearby structures were protected by firefighters and left without damage.
The fire’s cause is unknown and under investigation by the Danville Fire Department.
No injuries were reported.
No working smoke detectors were present.
The estimated dollar loss is $33,000.
Assisting agencies were Ameren Illinois, Arrow Ambulance and Danville Police Department.