The Canton Fire Department responded to a reported brush fire on Sunday, March 13, 2005 in the 1200 block of West Locust Street, Canton, Illinois.
Upon arrival, firefighters found four to six unoccupied mobile homes being rehabilitated had become involved in the fire. Extra alarms were called bringing in all off duty personnel and four additional departments. The mobile homes were located at a refurbishing business that had approximately 120 units sitting on the property in close proximity of each other.
The fire destroyed more than 70 mobile homes.
Firefighters were hampered by the low volume of water available, high winds and an advancing brush fire threatening several nearby buildings.
Due to the close proximity of the trailers it was deemed to dangerous to advance hand lines between the mobile homes. Tanker operations were established to supplement water supply and a aerial master stream was used to bring the fire under control in three hours.
Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night extinguishing hot spots.
