LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
An early morning fire broke out at the old Vance School building on Sept. 4, sending smoke through the area before dawn.
The structure, long abandoned, was quickly engulfed, beginning just after 3 a.m., according to Paris Fire Chief Zack Janis. Around 8:30 a.m., the Chief reported that the blaze had been reduced to a “smoldering fire.”
While working to contain the fire, the department closed multiple roads in the vicinity, including Edgar Street to Steidl Road and Central Street from Elliott to Edgar, and all traffic was stopped. Shortly after 8 a.m., Central was opened to traffic, while Route One and Main Street traffic remained blocked.
Janis predicts that streets will remain closed and firefighters will remain on the scene for “several hours.” He also shared that the Paris Police Department is taking statements and that the Illinois Fire Marshal will be on scene before 10 a.m.
“Everything is currently under investigation,” Janis said.
No injuries have been reported and authorities are asking the public to avoid the area while cleanup and safety assessments continue.