Firefighters put out fire at abandoned building in Herrin

HERRIN, Ill. (KBSI) – Firefighters in Herrin braved very cold temperatures Wednesday morning to fight a fire at an abandoned building to protect nearby homes.

Just after 6 a.m. on January 17, the Herrin Fire Department was called to a structure fire.

Engine 1 arrived to find an abandoned builing on fire being pushed toward an occupied home by wind gusts.

Crews battled real feel temperatures of -5° to 0° for approximately four hours and kept the fire off the neighbor’s house.

Firefighters had to consistently rotate crews so people could warm up.

Firedepartments from Marion, Carterville and Williamson County Fire Protection District provided mutual aid.

Herrin Public Works and police (including dispatchers) also helped.