By Howard Packowitz

BLOOOMINGTON – Area fire departments were busy battling three major fires late Sunday afternoon and into the evening hours.

What was described as a gas-fed fire on Constantine Street, off of West Washington Street in Bloomington Heights, prompted Bloomington Township firefighters to call the city fire department and firefighters from Danvers and Heyworth to help put out the blaze.

On its Facebook page, the Bloomington Township fire department said no one was inside the burning structure. Firefighters used foam to put out the fire after NICOR shut off the gas.

About the same time, an old barn was destroyed by fire on Route 51, just north of Heyworth. Smoke could be seen for miles. The Heyworth Fire Department called firefighters from Downs, Dale Township, and Wapella. The barn and its contents were considered a total loss.

A total of 21 fire departments were called early Sunday evening to put out a blaze at a tavern in Dwight. Fairbury and Pontiac were among the departments called to the Ron De Voo Bar on South Franklin Street. There were no injuries.

Firefighters remained at the scene for hours to make sure the fire would not start up again. Authorities were investigating the cause and the fire’s origin.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]