The house was valued at $44,000 and is a total loss.

Crews found a single-story unoccupied home had sustained an explosion and an Ameren employee in the back yard who had received injuries in a blast. They additionally found the home to the west had sustained structural shifting.

The Ameren employee, who had been investigating an odor complaint in the area, was taken to the hospital.

Crews found no further injuries but substantial damage to the home. At this time, plans for the demolition of the building are being worked on.

Time of Dispatch: 10:08 AM

Time on Scene 10:10 AM

Account Closed 11:25 AM

A Champaign Public works employee was in the area at the time of the explosion and provided assistance to the injured Ameren employee until ambulance personnel arrived.

The City of Champaign and Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 have reached an 18-month side-agreement averting the necessity to shutdown the engine company at Station Four, 2315 W. John Street. Champaign City Council will take formal action on the agreement at its next meeting.

“It was a shared sacrifice,” said Fire Chief Doug Forsman, “with the union giving wages and time concessions while the City agreed to provide funding for the current level of service for the next 18 months.”

IAFF Local 1260 President, Chris Zaremba said, “I am proud to say our members came together and voted in favor of an agreement whereby each member will work forty-eight hours of furlough time in addition to making wage concessions in the final year of our bargaining agreement. In doing so, our members once again demonstrated our commitment to providing the citizens of Champaign with the level of service they deserve and have come to expect.”

The union is providing 55% of the funding through wage and time concessions in a side-letter agreement that will run until June 30, 2013. The cost to keep St-4’s Engine Company fully functioning for the next 18 months is approximately $650,000.

This agreement will allow CFD to continue to utilize the full complement of six engine companies, two ladder companies, one rescue company, and one incident commander. Nine fire companies will be available.

“Clearly both the City and the Union are pleased to have reached an agreement. Our goal has always been to maintain the highest level of public safety response assuring minimal impact on the community while recognizing the difficult budget decisions which has been necessary,” said Forsman. “Both parties worked very hard to make this possible.”

Forsman remains hopeful that at the end of the 18 months economic conditions are such that the current level of service can continue to be provided.

Cause of fire: Champaign fire investigators determined this to be an accidental fire that started in the vicinity of the stove on the first floor.

Dollar Loss: $220,000 fire loss with $170,000 in building loss and $50,000 in content

Arriving CFD fire units reported the two-story 4-unit townhouse with light smoke coming from the eaves—difficult to distinguish from the blowing snow. Fire personnel worked to extinguish the fire on the first and second floors as well as in attic space. The adjoining unit, 3427 Stoneway Ct., was found to be free of fire but had to be cleared of high carbon monoxide readings before the occupant could check belongings. Investigators remain at the scene at this time.

No injuries were reported.

Emergency Services Support Team members assisted occupants of both units.

Cause of fire: Champaign fire investigators remain on the scene

Dollar Loss: TBD

Arriving CFD fire units reported the two-story townhouse with light smoke coming from the eaves—difficult to distinguish from the blowing snow. Fire personnel worked to extinguish the fire on the first and second floors as well as in attic space. The adjoining unit, 3427 Stoneway Ct., was found to be free of fire but had to be cleared of high carbon monoxide readings before the occupant could check belongings. Investigators remain at the scene at this time.

No cause has been determined at this time.

No dollar loss or damage report at this time.

No injuries were reported.

Emergency Services Support Team members assisted occupants of both units.