URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — It was a busy afternoon for Urbana firefighters on Friday as they responded to two separate fires on the University of Illinois campus within hours of each other — one at the Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall and another at the Transportation Building on South Mathews Avenue.
Both incidents were contained quickly thanks to fast responses from the Urbana Fire Department (UFD), preventing injuries and major damage.
Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall Fire
At approximately 2:38 p.m., Urbana fire crews were dispatched to 1005 S. Lincoln Avenue after a fire alarm activation inside the Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall. While en route, dispatchers reported additional alarms sounding throughout the building, signaling that the incident was more than a routine alert.
Engine 253 arrived first and found smoke on the second floor along with visible flames and active sprinkler flow. The incident commander upgraded the response to a working fire, bringing in additional crews.
Firefighters quickly located and extinguished the blaze while search teams confirmed the building had been evacuated. The fire was under control within 20 minutes, and no injuries were reported.
Roughly 20 firefighters responded. The UFD Investigation Team is working to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.
Deputy Chief Steve Doggett credited strong coordination among University Housing, Facilities and Services, University Police, and Emergency Management for helping ensure a safe and efficient operation.
Transportation Building Steam Tunnel Fire
Earlier that day, at approximately 12:20 p.m., firefighters were called to 104 S. Mathews Avenue after a fire alarm went off inside the University’s Transportation Building.
Upon arrival, Engine 254, which is stationed on campus, discovered smoke coming from a steam tunnel behind the building. Crews entered the tunnel and located a below-grade fire, prompting the shift commander to declare a working incident and call for additional personnel.
About 20 Urbana firefighters operated in confined spaces to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes. They remained on scene for roughly two hours to check for extension and assist University Facilities and Services personnel.
The tunnels and nearby buildings were placed on Fire Watch as a precaution. No injuries were reported. The cause of that fire also remains under investigation.
Coordinated Effort Praised
Deputy Chief Doggett thanked the multiple University departments and dispatch centers that provided real-time updates and logistical support throughout the day’s incidents. “The quick coordination between our department and University partners helped us identify both fires early and keep them contained,” Doggett said.
The Urbana Fire Department’s Investigation Team continues to examine both fires. For more information about city emergency services, visit www.urbanaillinois.gov.