Firefighters rescue homeowner from fire

Firefighters fought the blaze for over two hours, and were on scene for two more. (Normal Fire Department Photo)

 

By A.J. Harris

NORMAL – Firefighters rescued a man trapped in his home by fire Sunday evening, after they responded to alarms on the 100 block of East Irving Street.

They arrived around 7:15 p.m., and found smoke billowing from the roof.

After an initial search, they found the owner of the home on the floor in the back and pulled him to safety.

They then moved to the basement to begin fighting the fire, but after the blaze moved up the walls and through the attic, they were forced to evacuate.

The fire was brought under control around 9:45 p.m., with firefighters staying on scene for two hours more putting out hotspots.

There is heavy smoke, fire, and water damage throughout the house, but there is no estimate on the cost of the damage yet.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A.J. Harris can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…