A raging fire destroyed several vacant homes early Thursday in Shenandoah.
The dispatch came just after 3:30am, for a report of a house fire in the area of 423 West Poplar Street in Shenandoah.
According to Fire Chief Rick Examitas, responding units were able to see the glow of the fire while responding and working fire was advised.
Chief Examitas said when they arrived on the scene, the home at 426 West Poplar was well involved with the majority of the fire out the back of the home.
The fire quickly spread through the addresses of 424, 422, and 420 with 426 collapsing within the first half hour of the call. 418 also sustained damage.
Firefighters also faced temperatures near single digits and water issues during the blaze. Due to the water problems, a tanker task force was requested.
The fire would strike a 2nd alarm for manpower and a 3rd alarm for the tanker task force calling in firefighters, trucks, and tankers from far and wide. In total, 12 tankers would keep water flowing to two drop sites near the blaze.
By 8:00am, many of the units had cleared the scene with Shenandoah Fire remaining on scene to put out hot spots.
State Police Fire Marshall Joseph Hall was at the scene Thursday morning to investigate.
No injuries were reported fighting the fire.
Chief Examitas stated that all the homes damaged in the fire were vacant.
