Franklin County fire departments have a busy night

by Steve Dunford

WSIL – TV photo

BENTON and WEST FRANKFORT IL-  There were two major fires in the county overnight, one in Benton and the other in West Frankfort.  Both were MABAS box alarms and there were injuries at each.  The incidents were less than two hours apart.

At 1:37 a.m. Benton firefighters were toned to a structure fire on 1203 E Bond street.  West City, West Frankfort, Christopher, and Sesser fire departments  were called to the scene for Mutual Aid.

Original repots say the fire was contained to the attic, but Benton fire was toned back to the scene at 6:37 a.m. for a rekindle.

At 3:18 a.m. West Frankfort firefighters were toned to the 100 block of West 5th street for a structure fire that was described as having major fire showing.  Johnston City, Benton, Marion, Zeigler, and West City departments were called for mutual aid.

There were two residents as well as one firefighter injured at the scene.

In two other incidents, Benton Firefighters were called to 1107 N McLeansboro street at 7:17 last night, for a tree on a residence.

Around 7:00 a.m. this morning, West Frankfort firefighters were called to the Anna Gray High Rise, for a malfunctioning smoke detector on the third floor, of a vacant apartment.

I will try to contact Benton and West Frankfort fire officials with additional information on the structure fires this afternoon.

Information from WSIL-TV, Southern Illinois Fire Incidents, Southern Illinois Fire Dispatch, and the Zeigler Fire Department contributed to this story.