Early morning fire does heavy damage to 2 houses in Cairo, IL
CAIRO, IL (KFVS) - According to the Cairo, Illinois Fire Chief they got a call about a structure fire around 2:19 a.m. on Dec. 11.
Once they arrived they said one home was engulfed and flames had spread to a second house.
This is at 34th and Elm. The state fire marshall said the two houses didn’t have anyone living in them at the time and no one was hurt.
We spoke to Cairo Mayor Tyrone Coleman, who said these fires are an impact on the community, but they are already looking past this in Cairo.
Coleman pointed out that they have multiple projects to bring in a handful of new businesses, including a Port Authority, going on around town that he hopes will bring in more jobs and people, but also hope to the community.
“It’ll bring in different mindsets to override some of the mindsets here that nothing can happen and nothing will happen,” he said, “So it’ll just bring about a different attitude.”
The houses were vacant, like many in the city. Coleman said he doesn’t like seeing the destruction of homes that could have been rented out to new residents once the new jobs come to the city, but part of one of the new projects is to bring new low-income housing to the area. So he said they will move on fast.
“These things happen,” he said, “you don’t want them to happen but it’s just a part of life.”
One house was destroyed and the other was heavily damaged according to officials.
Fire crews remained on the scene to monitor hot spots.
No one was living in either home and there was no power running to them.
One home was reportedly being used as storage.
The fire marshal was called to investigate.
The Cairo Fire Chief says the cold temperatures did not affect crews battling the flames.
Cario Fire Department was assisted by Mound City and Mounds Fire Departments.
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