Mattoon Officials Still Investigating Major Fire

The Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office is continuing its investigation into a significant fire that hit Mattoon late Sunday night.

Mattoon firefighters were called at 10:20pm to a large storage building in the area of Dewitt Avenue East. The building was fully engulfed in flames within 15 minutes of firefighters arriving on scene. Firefighters say damage was done to at least three businesses, maybe four. 

Mattoon Fire Chief Tony Nichols said Tuesday morning that a decision was made "early on" to set up defensive rather than offensive strategies due to the amount of fire, the structure was collapsing, and explosions that kept happening.

Authorities are still working to determine the cause of the fire. There were insulation materials inside the building that helped fuel the fire when it melted, as well as vehicles such as cars, boats and motor homes, along with machinery and the fuel inside would also have served as accelerants. 

Mattoon firefighters were assisted on scene by Charleston Fire Department and by Lincoln and Wabash Fire Protection Districts. Lincoln and Wabash hauled water to the scene since the magnitude of the fire overwhelmed the water supply in that part of town.

One firefighter was treated when something got in one of his eyes, and later was released. No other injuries were reported.

DeWitt Avenue East, closed when firefighters responded Sunday night, was finally reopened at 2:30pm Monday.