Update at 4 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Fire Department shared additional details about the fire at the University of Illinois’ Research Park on Saturday afternoon, including its cause.
According to Randy Smith, the department’s Public Information Officer, crews responded to a reported fire at 12:08 p.m. in the two-story Atkins Building. Upon arrival, firefighters located a small fire inside the office building, which was confined to a battery that was undergoing charging.
“Firefighters extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher and moved the battery outside,” Smith stated. “Crews successfully kept the fire limited to the item containing the battery.”
The cause of the fire was determined to be an accident and no injuries were reported.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters responded to a building fire on the University of Illinois campus Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred at the Atkins Building, situated in Research Park at the junction of Oak Street and St. Mary’s Avenue. An Illini Alert was issued at 12:30 p.m., advising individuals to vacate the area immediately if present. A follow-up alert was dispatched 30 minutes later, indicating the emergency had concluded.
WCIA reporters on the scene observed at least six fire trucks from both Champaign and Urbana Fire Departments. AMT ambulances were on-site, along with the U of I Police Department.
This is a developing story.
