The Champaign Fire Department responded to the report of a trash receptacle fire at 509 E. Green Street, Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 11:56 p.m. Upon arrival on the scene, fire crews found flames at the back of the apartment building which had extended into the building’s electric meter bank.
The fire was discovered by an occupant of the apartment building who then called 9-1-1. Firefighters arrived on scene and quickly extinguished the fire with dry chemical extinguishers which originated in a trash receptacle.
Several occupants of the apartment building were displaced because of the fire and subsequent loss of power to the building. A security camera indicates two individuals are responsible for starting the fire. The cause of the fire is incendiary, and investigators are continuing their scene examination. Because the fire has been determined to be incendiary, the Champaign Police Department has also become a part of the investigation. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported.
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.
Contact: Dorval Norwood, 217-403-7200, [email protected]