Jan. 30--CAHOKIA -- Firefighters this afternoon are working to put out a blaze in a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Cahokia.
The fire started about noon in the one-story building at 621 Water Street, said David Everhart, chief of the Cahokia Fire Department.
The hall is home to the Chief Pontiac VFW Post 1699.
The fire has caused severe damage to the building, causing its roof to collapse. Everhart said several workers who were inside the hall when the fire started escaped safely.
Everhart said more than 100 firefighters from at least 19 departments were helping to extinguish the fire.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. Complicating firefighters' efforts was a lack of nearby fire hydrants. Firefighters were using a trough filled with water to pump water into their hoses and douse the flames.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. Everhart said the state fire marshal will be investigating.
Crystal Bequette, 28, of Cahokia, said she was concerned her grandfather, Bob "Be-Bop" Darnell Sr., 71, who has worked at the hall for years, was inside when the fire started because he was supposed to be heading there today.
Bequette said she got a call from her grandmother alerting her to the blaze.
"Grandma said the VFW was on fire and that grandpa might be in there," Bequette said.
Bequette said she hung up and ran about a mile from her house to the VFW hall. Once there, she was relieved to learn everyone inside the hall had gotten out safely. She said her grandfather was instead visiting one of his favorite watering holes, the Double Deuce.
"I was so worried," Bequette said.
Check back for updates to this story.
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