RANTOUL, Ill. (WAND) - Five families lost their homes after a fire tore through a Rantoul apartment building Wednesday.
The Rantoul Fire Department was called out at 1 p.m. for a two-story apartment building on fire in the 700 block of East Congress Ave.
WAND News spoke with Rantoul Fire Chief Chad Smith. He said a total of five families including multiple children were all tenants in the building.
Only two of those families were home at the time of the fire. Everyone was able to escape safely on their own.
Chief Smith said the fire was cooking related and it is still under investigation.
The building was condemned until it can be brought back up to code.
The American Red Cross, Rantoul Community Service Center, Salvation Army and Seek and Find Ministries in Rantoul have all committed to helping the displaced families.
Paxton Fire, Gifford Fire, Sangamon Valley Fire, Thomosboro Fire, Eastern Prairie Fire, Savoy Fire, Corn Belt Fire, and the Urbana Fire Department were all called in to help Rantoul Fire due to the extent of the fire and cold weather.
The scene was cleared at 4:40 p.m.
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