Residents of Macomb home safely evacuated from Tuesday night fire

MACOMB, Ill. — The residents of a home at 329 S. Dudley were evacuated Tuesday night when a fire that started in a trash can eventually caught the home on fire.

The Macomb Fire Department was dispatched at 6:11 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 for a trash can on fire. While en route, the responding crew was notified the fire was spreading to the siding of the home. Upon arrival, the crew found a fire on the southeast corner of the structure. It had begun to involve the electric meter, which had begun to arc.

A callback for off-duty personnel was initiated, with a request for a change of quarters from the Colchester Fire Department. The fire also had extended to the interior of the structure in the kitchen and second floor. Callback crews arrived and began an interior attack. The fire was located in the kitchen and second-floor attic and was extinguished.

The fire was deemed under control at 6:53 p.m. Crews continued with ventilation and overhaul. Minor damage was reported on the neighbor’s house at 333 S. Dudley. The home was occupied at the time of the fire and the residents evacuated safely.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

The structure sustained fire, smoke and water damage throughout and has an estimated loss of $52,000. The fire is believed to be unintentional due to discarded smoking materials. It remains under investigation by the Macomb Fire Department.

Four on-duty Macomb firefighters initially responded, with an additional five off-duty firefighters called in to assist. The Colchester Fire Department was called for a change of quarters to handle additional calls for service. Assistance was provided by the McDonough County Communications Center, Macomb Police Department, Lifeguard Ambulance Service of Illinois, Colchester Fire Protection District and Ameren Illinois.

The scene was cleared at 10:31 p.m.