URBANA — Fire crews spent hours working to extinguish a multi-building fire that stretched across an entire city block on Monday.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the fire was reported in the 300 block of W Court Street in Urbana before 1 p.m.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dozens of firefighters, several departments respond to fire; some evacuated
The buildings in the area were so close together, the flames spread quickly, according to Urbana Fire Division Chief Dean Ortlieb.
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“The majority of those buildings at one time or another were on fire,” Ortlieb said.
The fire even caused a temporary evacuation for some residents in the area.
Chris Martinez told News Center 7 that he was working on a roof nearby and the smoke got too bad, so he had to stop.
“We noticed the smoke plume coming out and everything, and at first it was blowing that way, but it just turned and it’s just getting us on the roof line, so we can’t breathe and everything, it smells like tire smoke and everything, it’s just unpleasant,” Martinez said.
Neal Rasnake lives nearby and watched the buildings burn and the area fill with smoke.
He said the flames kept getting bigger and bigger.
“I ain’t seen nothing like this in Urbana ever,” he said. “And it’s all done for. It needs bulldozed.”
No one was hurt in the massive fire, Ortlieb confirms.
Urbana fire crews will stay in the area all night to keep an eye on the damage.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be handling the bulk of the investigation.
News Center 7 is working to learn exactly which buildings were damaged in the fire.
We will continue to follow this story.
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