The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a home at 1006 N. Neil St., Wednesday, January 26, at 6:36 p.m. Fire crews will remain on the scene for much of the night keeping the fire under control.
Firefighters responded to multiple reports of what was initially thought to be an exterior fire at this two-story residence. Once on the scene, fire crews reported light smoke coming from a basement window well on the South side of the home. Once inside, firefighters also discovered light smoke in the basement. Additional fire crews went to the second floor after smoke began coming form the attic of the home. The incident commander struck a second alarm and additional crews responded to the scene. The construction style of the home allowed the fire to spread from one floor to another. After all the occupants were confirmed to be out of the home, firefighters were forced from the building and began an exterior fire attack on the fire as conditions inside the structure deteriorated. Fire crews from both the Champaign and Urbana Fire Departments rotated between fighting the fire and a bus that was brought to the scene by the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District for rehab.
The cause of this fire is undetermined as investigators remain on the scene conducting their investigation. There have been no firefighter or occupant injuries reported. The occupants will be displaced as a result of the damage.