PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria firefighters were called to the 1100 block of W. Fourth Avenue around 3:30 p.m. Sunday on reports of a fire.
Upon arrival, crews found fire and smoke on the main floor and attic of the home.
Fire Battalion Chief Clint Kuhlman said a search determined the home was vacant.
“From what we understand, it was a vacant house for the last three years. We think there were possibly squatters in it, that led to the fire,” Kuhlman said.
Crews had the fire under control within 20 minutes. An investigator said the suspected cause of the blaze was arson.
“It was a hard fire to fight, being an older home with holes in the floors and holes in the attic. Crews worked really hard to get it out and did a good job,” Kuhlman said.
The structure was deemed unsafe and was later demolished.
