McLean County Times

Normal firefighters rescued a 13-year-old boy from a mobile home fire in Northmeadow Village early Sunday morning. The incident occurred at 865 2nd Street, where emergency crews were dispatched at 1:50 a.m. following reports of a fire with possible victims trapped inside.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames throughout the residence. They conducted a search and found the boy in a bedroom. According to the Normal Fire Department, "The boy showed no signs of life when he was brought out of the structure and was immediately placed in the care of Normal Fire Department paramedics. Paramedics initiated advanced life support measures during transport and were able to restore a pulse and spontaneous breathing. The teen arrived at the hospital in critical condition."

Another occupant attempted to reach the boy’s bedroom but was prevented by smoke and fire, then sought help from neighbors to call emergency services. Initial concerns about another child being trapped were found to be incorrect.

Normal Fire Chief Mick Humer stated, "Our crews faced intense fire conditions when they arrived, but they didn’t hesitate to go inside and search for anyone who might still be trapped. This incident is a stark reminder of how quickly fire can spread and how critical working smoke alarms are in giving people time to escape. Please, take a moment today to make sure your smoke alarms are installed and tested — it truly can mean the difference between life and death."

Firefighters managed to control the blaze within about 30 minutes; however, the home was completely destroyed. No other injuries were reported.

Investigators from the Normal Fire Department are currently working to determine what caused the fire.