Wind Pushes Flames Through Illinois Motel

Nov. 17, 2013
The fire started in a middle room of Sandy's Motel and the wind helped move the flames into the attic.

Nov. 17--DECATUR -- Windy conditions propelled a fire Saturday at Sandy's Motel, 1675 E. Pershing Road, in Decatur. Decatur firefighters were on scene for about 31/2 hours after arriving about 2 p.m., Battalion Chief Mike McGeehon said.

The fire started in a middle room on the south wing of the building. and the wind helped move the flames into the attic, McGeehon said. Gas and electricity were shut off to the building and 12 people were displaced as a result, he said. The Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross was assisting six of those.

No injuries were reported. The cause was undetermined, as inspectors were still looking into it, McGeehon said. The fire caused an estimated $140,000 damage to the building and $35,000 to its contents, he said.

McGeehon said 19 firefighters helped fight the blaze.

Copyright 2013 - Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill.

Related

Capt. Dave Fornell
Fast-spreading fire tactics may dictate writing off the structures originally involved and focusing all resources on preventing the fire from spreading. Care must be taken to prevent lines and firefighters from being positioned in places where they could be endangered by collapsing buildings or other factors.

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