The Bloomington fire department was dispatched to 804 East Front St at 552am Wednesday for the report of a house fire.
Bystanders said the porch of the house was on fire.
Engine 1 arrived on the scene at 556am and reported a three-story house that was divided into apartments, the front of the building was on fire with fire extending to the upper floors and the eaves. Due to the conditions found, Engine 1 ordered a box alarm to be transmitted. Engine 1 and Medic 1 extinguished the porch and made an interior attack on the first floor.
The quick actions of Engine 1 and Medic 1 allowed Truck 1 access to the upper floors to perform search and rescue efforts. Truck 1 rescued two tenants from the second floor of the building via an outside staircase. The box alarm brought Engine 4, Engine 1, Truck 1 Truck 2, Medic 4, Medic 2, EMS 1, Battalion 1, and Normal Engine 10 and Battalion 10.
The fire extended into the second floor and attic area. Firefighters were busy using thermal imaging cameras to search and extinguish fires in walls, ceiling spaces, and voids. The fire was brought under control shortly after 8am.
Portions of Clinton Street and Front Street were closed but are now open to all traffic. Most of the crews were picked up and cleared the scene by 9am. The apartment was occupied at the time of the fire. No civilians or firefighters were injured.
Fire Chief Eric West said, “Everyone did an outstanding job of containing the fire and avoiding any further spread of the fire in the various void spaces.”
Five adults and two children were displaced by the fire. Red Cross was notified to assist the displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No dollar amount has been determined.
