This week included a rash of fires in apartments, parking lots, and residential homes. The home at 714 W. Vine has been vacant for more than two years and has been undergoing rehabilitation under the City’s Vacant Nuisance Residential Building program. The fire started in the basement and created a large hole in the first floor. The building was boarded and secured to prevent further damage or injuries.
A second residential fire started around 3 p.m. on Wednesday May 2 at 1302 N. Mattis. The property was occupied by a single individual who was not home at the time of the fire. Damage was isolated to the living room area, as Champaign Fire responded quickly and moved to control the fire before it got out of control. Flames were just entering the attic, which would have caused the fire to spread quickly.