The Champaign Fire Department responded to a working fire at 902 S New Street, Sunday, January 22, 2017, at 12:12 p.m. Upon arrival on the scene, fire crews reported smoke coming from the open, second floor windows. Suppression efforts began immediately.
Eleven (11) pieces of Fire/Rescue/EMS equipment and approximately twenty-five (25) emergency response personnel responded from Champaign Fire and Pro Ambulance Service. Neighbors reported hearing a smoke alarm sounding outside. Once outside, they discovered smoke coming from the second floor of the home at 902 S New Street, which was undergoing renovation. Fire crews entered and found a small fire on the stairs. Crews quickly extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. No one was home at the time of the fire. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported. The total damage estimate is $7,500 to the structure. Investigators continue to work at the scene to determine the cause.
The Champaign Fire Department reminds all citizens to maintain a working smoke alarm in their place of residence and to have and practice a home escape plan. Smoke alarms can provide early notification when seconds count.