The Bloomington Fire Department was dispatched to 1311 N Hershey Road, apartment 6, Monday night at about 8:40 for a report of an apartment fire.
A tenant in apartment 6 reported smoke from around and under the sink cabinet. Another tenant was reporting a fire on the balcony. Engine 3 arrived at 8:44 pm and reported light smoke coming from a balcony on the 1 st floor. Upon further investigation and using a thermal imaging camera,
it was determined that a fire was concealed in the ceiling of a 1st-floor apartment. It was also determined that the fire was on multiple building levels. Engine 3 notified Battalion 1 of the fire in voids and hidden spaces. Based on conditions and reports from crews inside the building, Battalion 1 requested a Box Alarm that brought additional companies to the scene.
Multiple crews performed a primary search of the entire apartment building to ensure everyone was safe and out of the building. Everyone self-rescued before the fire department’s arrival.
At the time of the fire, crews were experiencing high winds. The high winds allowed the fire to quickly communicate to the attic. The attic space is open and unobstructed, which is typical for this type of building construction. The fire partially consumed the attic space and roofing material. The attic fire was quickly contained.
Crews began the physically difficult work of opening floors, walls, and ceilings to ensure all the hidden fires had been extinguished. Four handlines and two ladder streams were used to bring the fire under control. The fire was brought under control around 10:30pm.
Crews continued to stay on scene until 4:00am this morning, extinguishing hot spots. No civilians or firefighters were injured.
- The fire displaced multiple people.
- The cause of the fire is undetermined.
- The damage to the apartment is undetermined.
- The Red Cross was notified and aided the tenants.
- Ameren and Nicor were on scene.
- Bloomington Police Department provided traffic control.
- Connect Transit provided a bus to keep residents out of the weather.
