Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1901 — BIG LOSS AT RANTOUL, ILL. [ARTICLE]

BIG LOSS AT RANTOUL, ILL.

Fire Destroys Fifty Business Houses' and Dwellings. LOSS IS UPWARD OF $300,000. Only One Hotel and Lumber Yard Lest —No Live* Lost and No One Severely Injured, But Many Lose Their Goods. ' The entire business district ot Rantoul, 111.,' and hall a dozen blocks of residences have been destroyed by fire. A spark from a passing railroad engine started the fire and a high wind, a six weeks’ drought which had left every building as dry as tinder, and the lack of a city' water works were the factors that made it so swift and fierce that it was uncontrollable. Champaign, sixteen miles south of Rantoul and Paxton sent their fire departments, but water could not be obtained in sufficient quantities. Dynamite was tried, but it did not hinder the flames where buildings were' close together. Over fifty business and residence houses were burned. The loss is estimated at upward of $300,000, with insurance of less than half that amount, but that figure will not cover the Injury to the town, which has left only one hotel, which was located outside the business district, and one lumber yard. Luckily no lives were lost and no on<j was severely injured, but half the residents are lamenting the loss of great parts of their belongings.