Family of five escapes early morning house fire

Posted on July 16, 2019
The owner of the home said his family of five escaped unharmed. (Photo AJ Harris/WJBC)

 

By Blake Haas and AJ Harris

BLOOMINGTON – A family of five escaped unharmed after a fire broke out in Bloomington early Tuesday morning.

Fire crews were called at 3:47 a.m. to the 500 block of University, between Evans and McLean Streets.

The owner of the home, who wishes to remain anonymous, said a dehumidifier caught fire in the basement. The owner said his family was home at the time of the fire, but everyone made it out safely.

He said TV’s and other things are replaceable, but he’s just thankful his family is safe.

BFD spokesperson Eric Davison said damage to the house was contained to the basement.  An estimate of damage is around $300.

Blake Haas 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…