The Springfield fire chief says it was the largest manpower turnout for a fire in several years: three townhouses in Country Place, near I-55 and Toronto Road, suffered total or near-total loss Tuesday afternoon.
Narrow streets, limited water pressure, and warm weather hampered firefighters, two of whom were injured. Four households were displaced and one pet died. The cause is under investigation.
Tuesday was a busy day for firefighters. A smoky fire on the northeast side earlier in the day brought fire crews to the 33 hundred block of Nichols Road. The house (pictured), apparently vacant, was hard to get to because it was far back from the road and could be accessed only via a narrow lane. That house is a total loss, and there were no injuries.