On Wednesday morning, the Decatur Fire Department responded to a report of visible black smoke near West Harrison Avenue and North Edward Street. The call, made by members of the Decatur Police Department, led firefighters to a vacant commercial building at 444 West Harrison Avenue, previously occupied by a long-term health care facility.
Upon arrival, fire crews encountered flames and heavy smoke emanating from the building’s east side. Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack, deploying multiple handlines into the structure to extinguish the fire and conduct thorough searches. Simultaneously, the Truck company accessed the roof to create ventilation openings, aiding the interior crews in their efforts. A Second Alarm was dispatched to provide additional manpower. The coordinated efforts of the fire department quickly brought the blaze under control, preventing further damage to the structure. Fortunately, the building was unoccupied at the time of the incident.
