Fire gutted much of a split-level ranch house on Normal's northeast side late Thursday night and burned away siding on one side of a neighboring home, but no injuries were reported.
Firefighters called about 10 p.m. to 1821 Truman Drive "found heavy fire from the front, side and rear of the house," said Fire Chief Mick Humer, who was at the scene.
Neighbors said billowing smoke could be seen several blocks away and the entire western half of the house was engulfed in flames that reached more than two stories high at one point.