A Saturday morning apartment fire at 707 East Grove Street has displaced two residents and prompted renewed warnings from fire officials about the importance of working smoke alarms.
The Bloomington Fire Department responded to the blaze at 11:32 a.m. First-arriving crews encountered smoke throughout the multi-unit residence and flames on the rear exterior of the converted two-story house. Early reports suggested some occupants might still be inside, prompting an immediate search and rescue effort alongside firefighting operations.
All residents were safely evacuated, and no civilian injuries were reported. However, one firefighter was treated on scene for heat exhaustion.
“This incident is a powerful reminder about the importance of fire safety,” said Captain Frank C. Friend, Public Information Officer for the department. “When a smoke alarm sounds, you have less than three minutes to get out safely.”
Due to the building’s layout and risks associated with older, converted housing units, additional personnel were called to the scene, and off-duty firefighters were brought in to maintain citywide emergency readiness. Crews remained at the site for several hours to fully extinguish the fire and overhaul the attic area.
Investigation & Safety Concerns
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Bloomington Fire Investigators found multiple smoke alarms missing batteries and noted hoarding conditions that significantly heightened the danger.
Officials emphasized that in most cases, tenants are responsible for maintaining smoke alarm batteries, and warned that inadequate maintenance can drastically reduce escape times in emergencies.
Damage & Community Response
Fire damage was concentrated at the rear of the structure, affecting all levels of the building, including the attic. A full structural assessment is ongoing.
The American Red Cross has been notified to assist the displaced residents. Nicor Gas, Ameren Illinois, and the Bloomington Police Department were also on scene to support the response effort. Portions of Clinton Street and Grove Street were temporarily closed during firefighting operations.
As Bloomington continues to grow and expand affordable housing, Captain Friend stressed the need for safer building design, stronger code enforcement, and incentives for installing sprinkler systems.
For more fire safety tips and information on maintaining smoke alarms, visit the Bloomington Fire Department website.
