An Historic Building In Joliet Goes Up In Flames

It was early Saturday morning on September 7th at about 3:13 a.m. that the Joliet Fire Department responded to 927 Collins Street for a report of a structure fire with flames showing. The first units arrived within four minutes of the call and found a two-story brick building fully involved with fire. On arrival, fire was extending approximately 15 feet in the air from every window on the second floor. Fire also quickly engulfed the roof. Crews set up for a defensive attack from the exterior of the building. Truck 1 and Tower 6 set up master stream waterways to put as much water on the fire as possible. Crews also had multiple hose lines deployed around the base of the structure. 

As the fire grew in intensity, flying embers were pushed by a north wind south on Collins St. for two blocks. A second operation was set up to check for extension on the structures along Collins St.  Outside of a small brush fire, there were no exposure problems to any other properties. 

Crews fighting the fire had to be mindful of collapse zones around the structure. 

The building is situated on the old US Steel property and is believed to be on the National Marker for Historic buildings.

Fire crews from stations 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, responded to the scene. Crews remained on the scene. There were no injuries to report.