A multi-purpose complex housing the Washington Park Police and Fire departments burned Tuesday afternoon in a fire you could see for miles.
Washington Park is located just north of East St. Louis and west of Fairview Heights. It’s an already impoverished community now dealing with a crippling of some critical city services. Washington Park Battalion Chief Ronnie Harris said the community will get through this.
Just after 2 p.m., St. Clair County Emergency Management announced mutual aid from State Park, French Village, Fairmont City, and Caseyville fire departments were assisting in fighting the fire. Part of the building collapsed during the fire, which also burned through the roof.
Investigators believe the fire began in the rear of the building, where the city’s Streets Department operates. The exact cause of the fire has not been identified.