Watch now: Sunday fire destroys home in historic Decatur | public safety
DECATUR – Decatur firefighters responded to a major structure fire early Sunday evening in what neighbors described as an abandoned home in the 200 block of North Monroe Street.
Smoke and flames could be seen pouring from the roof of the two-story house near the historic part of town that includes Governor Oglesby’s mansion.
Decatur firefighters responded to a major structure fire early Sunday evening in what neighbors described as an abandoned home in the 200 block of North Monroe Street.
TONY REID, HERALD & REVIEW
“This whole area around here and William Street has nice houses on it,” said Paul Depeugh, who stood with his wife, Edna, watching firefighters work.
His wife said he was sad to see so many great houses from Decatur’s past fall to ruin and then burn.
Decatur firefighters responded to a major structure fire early Sunday evening in what neighbors described as an abandoned home in the 200 block of North Monroe Street.
TONY REID, HERALD & REVIEW
“Yeah, it breaks my heart to see this house destroyed,” she added, as the jets of water from the fire hoses shot through the roof, chasing patches of still-scorching shingles.
People also read…
The Decatur Fire Department had two ladder trucks working at the scene and numerous other vehicles as they battled to control the flames and prevent any spread to nearby homes in the close quarters.
Firefighters were unavailable to provide further details on Sunday evening, and this story will be updated when more information becomes known.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: A look back at Decatur firefighters over the years 🚨
1916

1916: Firefighters staff.
H&R File Photo
1932
1932: Members of the fire quartet at No. 6 Station are from right to left: Willard Phillips, Frank Screeton, Cliff Harris and Claude Osborne.
1932

1932 fire department chief and captains.
H&R File Photo
1961
1961: City of Decatur Fire Department from left, Firefighter Clarence Howard, Battalion Chief Everett J. Riedel and Captain Leo Harding.
H&R File Photo
1973 firefighters

1973: Left to right, top, Art Alderman, Jim Burg, Bill Sebok, Jim Huhk, Charles Carnock and Bob Sullivan. Bottom, Jerry Taylor, Captain John Peck, Fire Chief AV “Hap” Hamm, Bob Wolf, Pete Sturgis.
H&R File Photo
Equipment
1951: City firefighters Alpha Hamm and Paul Sebok demonstrate new equipment for fighting extremely hot fires, such as gasoline truck or airplane fires.
H&R File Photo
Equipment nozzle

1939: Carl Koshinski, truck driver at Fire Station No. 1, demonstrates a new nozzle that will be used for wall and attic fires.
H&R File Photo
new headgear
1936: Firefighters at Station No. 1 test their new headgear, steel helmets designed to protect firefighters from injury from falling beams and girders.
H&R File Photo
Fire Station No. 4

1915: Fire Station No. 4 Park Captain, Quinn Gregg, Malcolm McGlasson and SJ Crew.
H&R File Photo
Fire Station No. 6
1932: Quartet of firefighters from barracks no. 6
H&R File Photo
Quartet

1932: Quartet of firefighters.
H&R File Photo
Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid
Comments are closed.