Fire chief: UIS residence hall fire causes $10K in damage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Crews responded to a reported fire at a University of Illinois Springfield residence hall Monday.

According to the Springfield Firefighters Local 37 union on Facebook, a caller reported multiple fire alarms had been activated in the Founders Residence Hall, located at 4800 Eliza Farnham Drive in Springfield. The building was evacuated before responders arrived.

Crews said heavy smoke was reported in the building. Responders had the fire out within about 10 minutes.

After 3:15 p.m., smoke conditions on the third floor of the building had been cleared.

WAND News learned from UIS the cause was a small fire in a bathroom garbage can, which caused a heavy amount of smoke. Springfield Fire Chief Brandon Blough said the person put a cigarette they believed to be out in the can, leading to the fire.

Smoke was in the second floor and part of the first floor. There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at about $10,000 and is mostly smoke damage.