A vacant 21-unit apartment building at 342 W. State St. in downtown Jacksonville is heavily damaged by a large fire early Thursday, prompting temporary closures and plans for rapid demolition. Fire crews were dispatched about 6 a.m. and found heavy fire concentrated on the third floor and attic; portions of the roof and interior collapsed during the response.
Firefighters focused first on preventing the blaze from spreading to neighboring structures. Once that risk was contained, crews shifted to extinguishing hot spots and assessing the building’s structural stability. Cold, freezing conditions complicated operations and firefighters continued working into the afternoon to bring remaining embers under control.
City officials described the structure, built in 1966, as vacant for roughly three years. After an initial assessment, officials declared the building unsafe and said it will likely be demolished quickly because exterior walls lacked internal structural support and posed an imminent collapse risk. The adjoining property at 340 W. State St. was closed temporarily for safety while crews secured the scene and structural engineers evaluated the block.
No injuries were reported among firefighters or civilians. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Local fire department statements emphasized the dangers posed by illegal entry into vacant structures and warned that unsecured buildings create hazards both for trespassers and first responders.
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The damaged building’s vacancy limits immediate displacement of residents, but the loss of a 21-unit structure has broader implications for downtown’s housing inventory and property owners. Business activity on the block is likely to be disrupted while demolition and cleanup proceed, and nearby residents can expect street closures and restricted access until the site is secured and investigators complete their work.
City leaders and public safety officials say prompt demolition is expected to reduce the risk of further collapse and clear the way for a full investigation and cleanup. The State Fire Marshal’s inquiry will determine origin and cause and guide any potential enforcement or code enforcement actions. In the meantime, downtown residents and property owners should follow official advisories and avoid the affected area as crews complete operations and engineers finalize an assessment of adjacent buildings.