East side fire destroys apartment building, injures firefighter

Posted on February 10, 2018

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington firefighters battled a blaze that consumed a 12-unit apartment building near the intersection of Empire Street and Gettysburg Drive this afternoon.

The Bloomington Fire Department responded to a call shortly after 3 p.m. of a fire at 1101 Gettysburg Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters confronted an inferno that engulfed the building. Residents were evacuated as firefighters attempted to put the fire under control. No injuries to any residents were reported, but Bloomington Fire officials said one unnamed firefighter sustained minor injuries during the ordeal and was transported to a nearby hospital. While the extent of the damage is unknown at this time, Bloomington Fire officials explained the building appeared to be a total loss.

Fire officials also said the residents of the building were transported by Connect Transit buses to the local Red Cross office for further assistance. The cause of the fire is not known at this time and more information will be provided when it is available.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…