SIDELL, Ill. (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that destroyed the village hall in the small central Illinois community of Sidell.
The News-Gazette reports heavy smoke was coming out of the two-story brick building Tuesday evening when firefighters arrived. Sidell Fire and Rescue chief Jason McDaniel says the fire was in a room used to store maintenance equipment.
McDaniel says about 30 firefighters fought the blaze until 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Sidell Mayor Don Okuley says the building dates to the early 1900s. He says firefighters were able to retrieve a computer with all of the village records.
The village had already started building a new village hall several blocks away before the fire.
About 600 people live in Sidell, located about 35 miles southeast of Champaign.