Peoria, Ill — We’re told the three-alarm fire at Glen Oak Towers early Monday could have been much worse.
The blaze sent 8 people to the hospital, including three with critical injuries.
Peoria Fire Chief Jim Bachman says firefighters likely had just moments to spare before windows broke and wind swept the fire from it’s source throughout the building.
He says thankfully, that didn’t happen.
What did happen was a forced evacuation, likely the result of panic among residents spooked by blaring alarms, says Bachman.
He says, “…to get people to shelter in place in lots of instances is what we do, but then you have people who immediately hear the alarm and start evacuating.”
A news release from the Peoria Fire Department called the effort to evacuate all 167 residents “taxing” on fire crews.
Bachman says there were several residents who required lift assists from firefighters down several flights of stairs. The building also houses many elderly residents.
At the same time, the exhausted fire chief expressed gratitude.
In our conversation, Bachman made sure to point out his thanks to City Link, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and everyone who coordinated to help with the evacuation and follow up response.
Blake Williams with the Central Illinois Red Cross says, “We are working with the property management company to determine future needs.”
He says roughly 40 Glen Oak Towers residents are currently staying at hotels.
The Red Cross also continues to help with meal service.
For now, there is no new information released about the conditions of those residents who were injured.
The local fire investigator on scene determined the blaze to be accidental, but no other details have been released.
