Fire Does Major Damage to Downtown Building in Charleston

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Published on February 16 2018 11:20 am
Last Updated on February 16 2018 11:20 am
Written by Greg Sapp

 

An early morning fire Friday did damage to a building in downtown Charleston and led to evacuations.

Charleston firefighters were summoned to 506 Monroe at 1:46am. Crews encountered heavy smoke on the second floor. Firefighters rescued two occupants off a section of the roof with a ladder, and had to force open a door to rescue three other individuals. Three other occupants were able to escape on their own.

The heavy smoke and fire conditions forced firefighters to evacuate the building and start a defensive attack. 

A third alarm was activated, which brought in crews from Mattoon Fire Department, Lincoln Fire Protection District, Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Ashmore Fire Department. Two ladder trucks were used to fight the fire.

The fire caused the second floor to collapse and caused extensive damage to the building, but fire crews contained the fire to the one building. 

No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.

A structural engineer was summoned to determine the stability of the building.

Eight residents were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Charleston Fire Department, Charleston Police Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire.