Fire damages multiple homes in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG - One home was destroyed and two others received damage in a Monday night fire.

Firefighters were called out around 8:15 p.m. to the report of a structure fire at 711 N. Webster St., off Illinois 34. When firefighters arrived, they found the structure to be totally involved, according to a fire department spokesman.

The home, occupied by William Edwards, is considered a total loss.

The fire quickly spread to adjacent residences on the north and south side. The home to the north, at 715 N. Webster St. had damage to its vinyl siding; the home to the south at 709 N. Webster St. received major fire damage to the rear of the house, an adjacent carport and in the attic, according to the spokesman. That home is owned by Foster Turner; the homeowner of the house with the siding damage was unknown on Tuesday.

All three houses were vacant when the fire broke out, however, firefighters said some pets inside the Edwards home were rescued by neighbors. The fire spokesman did not know what type of pets were inside the structure.

Fire Chief John Gunning said the cause and origin of the fire has not been determined.

"We've got a couple of good spots we're looking at but we're not 100 percent sure. Until the investigation is complete, it (the cause) will be undetermined," Gunning said. Gunning and a representative from the State Fire Marshal's office in Springfield inspected the damage on Tuesday.

Fire officials said heat is the reason the fire spread to the adjacent structures. Firefighters also had to deal with a spewing gas line in between the homes. Firefighters let the gas meter burn out until maintenance could shut it off - some 30 minutes after the fire started.

Seven trucks from Harrisburg, Carrier Mills and Eldorado were called to the fire scene. Eldorado also provided mutual aid to man the Harrisburg station while firefighters battled the blaze.

Firefighters were at the scene for just over three hours, the spokesman said.

No major injuries were reported although one firefighter did receive medical treatment at a local hospital for a hand injury.