ALTON – The Alton Fire Department was called to the 1600 block of Walker St just off Washington Ave for a fully involved structure fire Friday morning at around 4:00 a.m
When firefighters arrived on the scene the fire had burned through the roof and firefighters had to take a defensive attack.
Alton Fire Chief Jesse Jeminson said ” The house was vacant and due to how close the house was to a neighboring home firefighters had to protect the second house.”
He went on to say that the neighbor told firefighters that every so often he would see homeless people come and go from the house. He said at this time due to the intensity of the fire he is unsure if anyone was inside the vacant house during the fire.
Alton used their Ariel truck to help get the fire under control. East Alton Fire Department responded with a truck to help with the fire.
Alton Police Department shut down a portion of Washington Ave during the fire because the fire department had a hose stretched across Washington to the hydrant.
It is unknown at this time what caused the fire and it is under investigation.
