Broadlands garage destroyed by early morning fire
Share this @internewscast.com

BROADLANDS, Ill. (WCIA) — A family is safe after the garage of their Broadlands home caught fire Wednesday morning.

The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. near the crossroads of McGarigle Drive and Grant Street. Homeowner Joe Gilliland recounted that he attempted to extinguish the fire, but it spread more rapidly than he anticipated.

“I woke up at 1:30 to prepare for work and noticed smoke on the lower floor. I headed downstairs to identify its source. Once I opened the garage door, it was extremely dark and hot inside. I hurried back upstairs to wake my wife, instructed her to go outside and contact 911, put on some clothes, and went outside to try to manage the situation,” said Gilliland. “My wife reminded me about a fire extinguisher in my camper, so I retrieved it and tried to use it, but it was ineffective. She then suggested using the water hose, so I went out back, fetched it, and brought it around. I initially thought I had controlled the flames, but when debris fell from the ceiling, I realized the fire was more extensive than I had thought.”

By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had damaged the garage to the point that the roof collapsed.

“Regarding the garage doors, we had to cut through them to gain entry since we had already disconnected the power,” explained Longview Fire Chief Clayton Bosch. “The garage roof had collapsed, preventing safe access, thus we had to cut the doors open. Other than that, there was nothing particularly unusual.”

Gilliland said the garage is a total loss, but the rest of the home is not. He and his wife are staying with family while they pick up the pieces.

Bosch said that the fire’s origin was inside the garage, but firefighters are unsure of what caused it. The investigation is ongoing.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tennessee Senator Advocates for AI Regulations Amid Rising Use of Chatbots by Children for Social Interaction

In today’s world, children are interacting not just with their peers from…

Join the Celebration: Ballad Health’s Community Baby Shower Lights Up Greeneville Hospital!

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Ballad Health held one of its regular Community…

Holocaust Exhibit Premieres in Champaign, Bringing Museum Experience to Visitors

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – In a significant collaborative effort, three organizations came…

Jack Nicklaus Triumphs: Legendary Golfer Secures $50M Victory in Defamation Battle Against Ex-Business Partners

MIAMI (AP) — Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus has emerged victorious in a…

Tragic Collision on I-8 in San Diego Claims Lives of Police Officer and Civilian Driver

In a tragic turn of events, all eastbound lanes on a segment…

Escaped Inmate Recaptured After Daring Leap from Jail Transport Van

A man described as a serious violent felon is once again in…

Effingham County’s Remarkable Journey: Fourth Consecutive State Quarterfinals Appearance

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Lady Rebels have secured their place…

Revolutionary Champaign Clinic Addresses Common Yet Overlooked Disorders Affecting Millions

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A groundbreaking clinic in Central Illinois is now…

Shocking Allegations: Chicago School Security Guard Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minors

Editor’s Note: The following article addresses sensitive topics related to child abuse.…

Suspect in Waffle House Shooting Surrenders to JCPD: Latest Updates on the Case

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — On Tuesday, the Johnson City Police Department…

Shocking Incident: Blind Man Forcefully Escorted by Federal Agents into Oregon ICE Facility

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Newly released videos capture a disturbing scene where a…

Texas Secretary of State Sparks Debate with Viral Post on Voter Fraud Allegations

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson has reignited discussions about election integrity…