The Danville Fire Department responded to a reported commercial structure fire at 2909 Riverside Drive at 1245am this morning. Crews arrived on scene at 1249am and found heavy smoke coming from the roof of the Dairy Queen. Engine 2's crew pulled an attack line and a back up line to do an offensive attack on the fire. A search of the structure by the Ladder crew found no one inside. The fire was located above a cooler/freezer unit but unable to be extinguished. Crews evacuated the structure at 1:10am as fire vented through the roof and a defensive operation was untaken by Ladder 1's crew using an elevated master stream. The fire was knocked down and determined to be under control at 2:33am. Crews remained on scene doing salvage and overhaul operations. The building sustained heavy smoke, heat, fire and water damage. East bound lanes of Riverside Drive at Mount Cross Road were blocked and traffic was detoured during the incident, but are now open.
The Danville Fire Department responded with 3 engines, a ladder truck, a command unit, one support unit and one fire marshal. The Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Police Department, Danville Electric Department and Danville Water and Gas Department assisted on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshals' office. Sixteen fire personnel were on the scene for over three hours.
Battalion Chief Chris Key