House Made of Tires Frustrates Illinois Crews

What was meant to be green, instead sent thick plumes of billowing smoke into the air as fire crews fought helplessly to stop them.

Jan. 19, 2009

MARION, Ill. -- A house fire sent thick plumes of smoke over portions of Marion and Herrin, Illinois. The house caught fire at 3:30 p.m.at 8494 Old Route 13 in Marion when high winds blew a brush fire out of control. It took fire crews only three minutes to arrive at the scene.

No amount of water would put the fire out. It would only take a few minutes for a freshly sprayed area to reignite. Bill Blankenship built the home with used tires. He used the rubber from the tires to actually build up the walls.

What was meant to be green, instead sent thick plumes of billowing smoke into the air as fire crews fought helplessly to stop them. The stubborn fire was finally put out at about 8:00 p.m. No one was hurt.