The Bloomington (IL) Fire Department (BFD) was dispatched Monday night to 603 West Market St. for reports of an apartment fire that left a 62-year-old man dead and put five others in the hospital, reports wcia.com.
BFD arrived at the location around 11:10 p.m. and saw smoke coming from the eaves of the building, and it was upgraded to a box alarm. Engine 1 entered with a hand line on an offensive attack, while several crews from Normal and Bloomington Township departments were called for assistance, the report says. About 40 minutes later crews exited the building and transitioned to a defensive tactic.
A second attempt to get inside and attack the seat of the fire was futile, but around 2:20 a.m. after an exterior attack that included drone usage crews were able to enter, according to the report. They then found the deceased man, whose autopsy is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Five other residents were taken to the hospital for treatment, the report says, and crews left the scene around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Red Cross was notified of eight adults needing assistance, as the building is considered a total loss, though no damage estimate has been made. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
See the drone footage here:
