CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Rescuing individuals from a fire brings a unique sense of urgency for firefighters. In Champaign over the weekend, they showcased their skills during an apartment blaze.
Multiple people and a dog were rescued from the balcony. The fire happened near High View Court and Clayton Boulevard.
Ramshaw Real Estate, the owner of the affected building, reported that 12 units were damaged by the fire, leaving at least 17 residents temporarily homeless.
“We responded to a three-story complex with flames visible from the second and third-floor balconies,” stated Chris Zaremba, Battalion Chief of the Champaign Fire Department.
While eight individuals and a dog were safely evacuated from a balcony, only seven were actually on the balcony when firefighters arrived.
According to Zaremba, “One resident was trapped in his bathroom, using wet towels to block the smoke. Our crew had to enter, locate him, lead him to the balcony, and then guide him down to safety.”
The reason for their outdoor rescues is simple.
“It’s the cleanest air. We have air packs on and bunker gear, they don’t,” Zaremba shared.
He added that there is an elevated kind of urgency when responding to a structure fire, knowing people are inside.
Zaremba added, “The situation definitely adds some urgency, as you realize there are people relying on you who can’t escape on their own. It gives you an extra boost to help get them out.”
He said that Sunday’s fire proves their training is essential to saving lives. They practice throwing ladders and bringing people down monthly.
“So, it’s something that we practice quite a bit so that they’re proficient when we need to throw a ladder,” Zaremba said.
And it’s paying off. He said that by the time they got on scene, firefighters had everyone out of the building within ten minutes.
At least 17 people remain displaced. Ramshaw Real Estate said that the Red Cross stepped in to help, and that they are now waiting for more information on next steps from the insurance company and the city.
As of Monday evening, the Champaign Fire Department had not identified a cause.
