By Howard Packowitz

PONTIAC – Two downtown buildings are a total loss from Saturday’s fire, but it could have been much worse, Pontiac’s fire chief said on Sunday.

The State Fire Marshall’s office has been called to lead an investigation into what caused the blaze that started at Wright’s Furniture warehouse, which is in back of the main furniture store on East Madison Street.

Pontiac Fire Chief Jacob Campbell said radiant heat from the warehouse spread north to Duffy Ambulance Service on East Howard Street.

Duffy’s living quarters and garage space are a total loss, as is Wright’s warehouse.

Campbell says firefighters were able to save the main furniture store and the offices of the Pontiac Daily Leader, the local newspaper.

In a statement, Duffy Ambulance Service said it has moved to a temporary location at Central Truck and Ag on Industrial Court in Pontiac, which will be its home until new headquarters are built.

The rescue service has returned to full operation for all emergency services.

Wright’s Furniture plans to reopen in a few days.

Campbell reported 19 area fire departments were called to assist the Pontiac Fire Department on Saturday.

Campbell said firefighters from Fairbury, Saunemin, Cullom, Odell, Chenoa, Dwight, Cornell, Gridley, Flanagan, Forrest, Lexington, Minonk, Reading, Chatsworth, Long Point, Streator, El Paso, Gardner, and Towanda provided mutual aid for the Pontiac Fire Department.

Ambulances from SELCAS and Dwight were called to help Duffy Ambulance Service during the fire, Campbell also said.

There were no injuries even as firefighters had to deal with exploding transformers and a collapsing warehouse.

A dollar estimate of the damage was not available Sunday night.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]