Several fire departments fight fire at Ina restaurant

INA, Ill. (KBSI) – Firefighters with the Jefferson Fire Protection District #1 fought a fire at a restaurant in Ina on Sunday.

Jefferson Fire Protection District #1 was notified of a fire after a caller reported smoke and the smell of burning at Uncle Joes’s at 201 Taylor Street on February 5 at 9:14 a.m.

As firefighers responded, additional 911 calls were made saying that flames were seen from the building.

First arriving engine found fire and smoke showing and upgraded the call to a working commercial fire to bring in additional help.

Firefighters began working to put out the fire on the exterior and entered the building.

Due to the construction of the building, crews had a difficult time reaching the seat of the fire and were pulled out to go defensive for a period of time.

Mt. Vernon’s aerial was used to open the roof and put out the bulk of the fire.

Crews were able to re-enter the structure, put out the remaining fire and complete a very extensive overhaul.

A large portion of the metal roof had to be removed to ensure all fire was out.

No one was injured.

Crews remained on scene for nearly six hours.

The fire origin and cause remains under investigation.

Several agencies assisted on scene. Those include fire departments from Mt. Vernon, Webber, Waltonville, Benton, Ewing-Northern and Sesser.

Litton Ambulance and United Medical Response stood by at scene.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted with traffic control.

Ameren power and gas were also on scene securing the utilities.

A total of 24 firefighters were on scene. That is two more than the standard of 22 firefighters that are recommended for structure fires, according to the Jefferson Fire Protection District #1.

Woodlawn FPD and Wayne City FD stood by at Jefferson Fire Protection District #1 Station 1.

While crews were still on the fire Wayne City assisted us with a field fire.