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Update at 4:50 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A single crew from the Champaign Fire Department continues to address the situation at the Champaign Park Apartments. As of 4:27 p.m., officials have reopened South County Fair Drive, although the fire crew remains at the scene.
Update at 1:28 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters, police officers, and investigators are still on site after a fire erupted Saturday morning at the vacant Champaign Park Apartments. The complex, which was scheduled for demolition following a settlement last month, remains a focal point of ongoing emergency response efforts.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Fire and police crews and investigators remain on the scene of a blaze that started Saturday morning at the unoccupied Champaign Park Apartments, which were slated for demolition in a settlement last month.
Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Mitchell with Champaign Fire told WCIA 3 that at approximately 10:30 a.m., the department was dispatched to a working fire in the Champaign Park Apartments, which Mitchell said are in the process of being vacated and getting ready to be torn down.
Upon arrival, the first arriving engine company found that there was heavy smoke coming from a basement apartment. Crews decided to do an exterior attack, given that they did not know the condition of the buildings because they have been unoccupied and are not in great condition, according to Mitchell.
He said as the fire progressed, the department noticed that it extended up through the interior of the walls into the attic, which turned into a well-developed attic fire. A second alarm was then struck — which brought a ladder truck from the Urbana Fire Department.
Mitchell said they were helping Champaign Fire with flowing aerial master streams — using large amounts of water from the top of their ladder trucks. As the attic fire grew, conditions inside weren’t safe enough for firefighters to be inside.
He confirmed the building was empty at the time of the fire.
“We expect to be here for quite some time,” Mitchell said. “It’s shaping up to be kind of a long-term operation for us.”
Cornbelt Fire Protection District arrived on scene to help Champaign Fire respond to other calls happening elsewhere throughout the city during this incident.
Mitchell said six fire engine pumper trucks, two hook and ladder trucks, the Champaign Fire command vehicle and all staff chiefs are on scene. He also said that due to the large nature of the fire, three fire investigators are on scene.
He added that two ambulances are on standby, as well as the medical director from Carle Hospital in case there are any injuries. No injuries have been reported at this time.
The Champaign Police Department also closed off Country Fair Drive for the fire department, so they have room to work.
Mitchell said fire investigators were not initially able to make entry into the building because the fire department was trying to determine the stability of the building, meaning the cause of blaze is unknown at this time.
He added that Country Fair Drive is likely to be closed for the foreseeable future while fire crews fight the fire. Mitchell said the Champaign Park Apartments are close together, so the department is trying to make sure the fire doesn’t extend to the other buildings. He urged drivers to use alternate routes away from Country Fair Drive.
He said in 2022-23, Champaign Fire had issues with vagrancy — people wandering from place to place — at the property. This was even before the March 10, 2026, agreement that was reached upon by the city, the apartment complex owner, Champaign Apartments Owner, LLC and more.
WCIA 3 previously reported that on the Champaign Park Apartments property, there are 29 abandoned apartment budlings, with a total of 504 residential units.
In this settlement, on July 18, 2025, the Court found after a hearing where evidence was presented that the owner had abandoned this property, all buildings on the property were condemned, the property was to be vacated and no one was to rent, use, lease or occupy any buildings.
They also found that the property posed a life-threatening hazard in its current condition and that the city had no other remedy at law to abate the conditions. The Court then issued an injunction for the duration of this case that the property was to remain vacant, and authorized the city to vacate, board and secure the property.
With the passing of the city bill, the first deadline for the agreement was set to be a fully completed application for a demolition permit that must be received by the city no later than Oct. 13, 2026.
Mitchell added that the apartments are secured with plywood, so that it would be hard for someone to break into them. With that being said, he reiterated that the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
He said he is grateful for the help they have received during this incident.
“It’s proof that on a major operation like this, no one does it alone, so Champaign Fire appreciates Urbana Fire Rescue coming over, Corn Belt Fire District for helping us run calls in our town, Carle Arrow Ambulance coming out,” Mitchell said. “There’s more to it than just fighting the fire on something like this, so we like that we have some help from our friends.”
Other assisting agencies included:
- METCAD 9-1-1
- Champaign Public Works Department
- Champaign Neighborhood Services Department
- The Salvation Army
- Illinois American Water Company
- Savoy Fire Deaprtment
As a result of this fire, multiple CU Mass Transit routes have had to reroute. They said due to the fire, West Springfield Avenue is closed between Kenwood Road and Country Fair Drive. As a result, the 180 Lime route from Saturday during the day to Sunday during the day will be affected.
Another affected CU Mass Transit route is the 70 Grey route, which is expected to be affected from Saturday during the day through Saturday night.
This is an ongoing story. WCIA 3 will continue to provide updates as new information is received.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Fire and police crews are currently on the scene of a blaze that started Saturday morning at the abandoned Champaign Park Apartments property.
At approximately 10:24 a.m., the Champaign Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment building in the 300 block of South Country Fair Drive for the report of smoke showing. On scene, a WCIA 3 reporter observed heavy fire on the roof of the apartment building.
The Champaign Police Department is also currently on scene blocking off roads in the area to keep the public at a safe distance away and allow the fire department room to work. As of 11:47 a.m., crews remain on scene.
This fire is taking place at the Champaign Park Apartments, which is abandoned and condemned. WCIA 3 reported last month that Champaign City Council passed a settlement for the destruction of these apartments, which Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen said has been years in the making.
There is no further information at this time.
This is an ongoing story. WCIA 3 will continue to provide updates as new information is received.