UPDATE: Lincoln fire under control, building likely a total loss

Update at 6:15 p.m.

Aaron Johnson, the Chief of the Lincoln Fire Department, said the fire is under control but the building that burned is likely a total loss. He added that there isn’t much holding the building up.

Caution tape has been set up to keep people away from the unstable ruins.

Johnson added that crews will likely remain on the scene through the night.

The Salvation Army said several people living in the apartments on the upper floor are displaced and they are helping them find hotels to stay in.

“We step in with providing emotional, spiritual care, so just being available and present to listen,” said Rachel Oney, the Director of Lincoln Salvation Army. “And then helping coordinate when donations do come in… step in until insurance can kick in.

The State Fire Marshal is on the scene to begin investigating what caused the fire.

Update at 4:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Fire Department has confirmed to WCIA that one firefighter was hospitalized after battling Thursday’s fire. Their condition is unknown at this time.

However, everyone who was inside the building at the time was safety taken out, Mayor Tracy Welch said.

Welch said the building that burned is one of the older buildings in the downtown area. There were two businesses on the first floor — a firearms store and a party rental business. The upper floor of the building, where smoke and flames were seen coming from the windows, had apartments that were occupied when the fire started.

Welch also spoke highly of the community’s response to the fire, calling it “tremendous.” He said he saw multiple people warning on social media to stay away from the scene in order to allow first responders to do their jobs, as well as offers to feed and provide water to first responders.

The Salvation Army was among those helping first responders on the scene.

Update at 11 a.m.

Sources tell WCIA that more fire departments from Central Illinois have been dispatched to downtown Lincoln to help battle the fire.

Departments that are now arriving on the scene includes ones from McLean, Macon and Menard Counties, along with every fire department in Logan County.

The fire is also burning close to the town’s train tracks and Amtrak station. Amtrak told WCIA that there were slight delays in the Lincoln area, but nothing lengthy.

LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters are actively responding to a large fire in downtown Lincoln.

Multiple fire departments from Logan and Sangamon Counties were dispatched to the scene as were resources from the Decatur Fire Department. Decatur Fire said Truck 1, an aerial apparatus, was dispatched to the scene along with one of its chiefs. The Sangamon County Rescue Squad is providing an air cascade system to the firefighting effort.

WCIA has reached out to authorities in Lincoln for more information about the fire. We have not heard back yet.

This is developing story. Stay with WCIA for updates as we learn them.

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