Firefighters Battle Blaze in Grayville More than Twelve Hours Saturday

Photos provided courtesy of Grayville Commissioner and resident Andi Ford

Firefighters are getting some much needed rest after battling a blaze in Grayville most of the day Saturday.  Grayville Mayor Travis Thompson who also is a member of the Little Wabash Fire Protection District says they were called to 126 West North Street just before 4:30am.  The home, by some accounts one of the oldest in the city, was fully involved with fire at the front porch.  Mutual aid was immediately called in from the Albion Fire Department.  Thompson says crews quickly hit the front with foam to knock flames out there and then began an interior attack and called in help from Crossville and Browns for both manpower and SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus).  Once the fire broke through the roof of the home, crews were pulled out and focused on “fire curtains” for the properties east and west of the burning structure that sit about 10 feet from each other.  Water tenders from Keenesburg, Bellmont, Carmi, and Mt. Carmel’s aerial were also called in.  Thompson says firefighters were on scene for 13 hours trying to take care of hot spots after the initial fire was under control.  The cause is currently under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.