BETHALTO — What began as a report of downed power lines quickly escalated into a major fire Sunday evening in the 700 block of Albers Lane, fueled by strong winds.
The Bethalto Fire Department was initially dispatched after a 911 caller reported a power pole with lines down that had sparked a grass fire. At the time, wind gusts were reaching around 30 mph, helping the flames spread rapidly.
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Within minutes of the initial call, the fire had spread from the grass to a nearby home and then quickly extended to two additional houses due to the high winds.
Bethalto firefighters called for mutual aid from multiple departments, including East Alton, Wood River, Rosewood Heights, Cottage Hills, Meadowbrook, Alton, Fosterburg, and Holiday Shores.
Fire crews worked quickly to contain the blaze and were able to stop it before it spread to additional homes. The Wood River Fire Department assisted with its ladder truck during suppression efforts.
Two homes sustained significant damage in the fire. Fortunately, all residents were able to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters faced several challenges while battling the blaze, including strong winds and hazardous conditions from downed power lines.
Madison County Emergency Management also responded to the scene, providing support with its rehab unit.
