McLean County Times

A fire broke out on the east side of Normal on Monday evening, damaging a home in the Greenbriar subdivision. The incident occurred at approximately 7:37 p.m. in the 1800 block of Johnson Drive, where several 9-1-1 calls reported visible flames and heavy smoke.

Due to multiple confirmed reports, the alarm was upgraded before firefighters arrived. This upgrade brought in off-duty personnel from the Normal Fire Department and requested a Rapid Intervention Team from the Bloomington Fire Department.

When crews arrived at 1825 Johnson Drive, they found heavy fire at the rear of the single-family residence and saw that vinyl siding on a neighboring home at 1823 Johnson was starting to melt. Firefighters deployed hose lines to extinguish the blaze and cool down the affected siding next door. The fire was brought under control within about 35 minutes.

Firefighters remained on scene to address hot spots and checked for possible spread into the house but determined that most of the damage was limited to the exterior and an attached one-car garage at 1825 Johnson Drive. The neighboring home's siding also sustained damage.

All occupants managed to escape without injury. "A neighbor was evaluated for smoke inhalation, but declined further treatment or transport by NFD paramedics," according to authorities.

The affected home is insured, but residents will not be able to return until utilities are inspected and restored safely. No estimate of damages has been released yet.

Investigators from the Normal Fire Department are working to determine how the fire started and its cause.