Fire Destroys Illinois Lumberyard

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - A fire in downtown Jacksonville has destroyed a landmark lumberyard that has operated at the location since 1901.

Fire Chief Rick Kluge says much of the LaCrosse Lumber Co. was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene early Monday.

Firefighters sprayed down neighboring houses to prevent the fire from spreading and evacuated some nearby residents because of the large volume of smoke from the fire.

The fire chief says the fire was difficult to put out because lumber and shingling products at the lumberyard fueled the fire.

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused the blaze.

Jacksonville is about 30 miles west of Springfield.

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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on August 23, 2010 at 12:57pm

Is it just me or does there seem to be a large number of lumber yard fires lately.

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Permalink Reply by John Carder on August 23, 2010 at 4:25pm

I am NOT commenting on this particular fire.

In general, a slowing economy can lead to more fires.

In general, falling real estate prices can lead to more fires.

In both cases, the costs of a fire to the owner of a structure are diminished. If the costs are less, then there is less incentive to take preventative actions, which have a fixed cost. Less prevention means more fires.

And that argument does not even address the issue of arson.