A fast-moving fire ripped through the Wilshire Village strip mall on the 600 block of Berkshire Boulevard in East Alton early Tuesday, tearing into several storefronts but stopping just short of the neighboring Dollar General. Crews battled flames through the night, then stuck around into the morning to keep an eye on stubborn hot spots. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters Tackle Pre-Dawn Blaze
Fire crews were called out shortly after 2:30 a.m., with additional engines from neighboring departments responding on mutual aid as heavy smoke and flames poured from the shopping center, according to RiverBender. A stretch of Berkshire Boulevard was shut down while firefighters worked the scene, and crews remained into the morning to watch for any rekindles. Video published by RiverBender shows firefighters mounting an exterior attack as thick smoke rolls over the roofline.
Defensive Strategy Keeps Flames From Spreading
Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut told KSDK that about 45 firefighters from eight departments responded and focused on keeping the fire from spreading to neighboring businesses. Crews arrived to find active fire inside the mall, he said, and quickly shifted into a defensive posture to shield adjoining units. Stahlhut reported extensive structural and interior damage to the storefronts that took the direct hit.
Which Businesses Were Hit
Officials said a Chinese restaurant and several vacant units absorbed most of the damage, while the Dollar General next door was largely spared from direct fire, suffering primarily smoke and water damage, according to First Alert 4 and other local reporting. Photos and video from the scene show blackened facades and a section of roof that partially collapsed where the flames burned hottest. Firefighters set up a perimeter around the property as investigators and cleanup crews moved in to begin damage assessments.
Cause Still Under Investigation
The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal has taken charge of determining how the fire started and had investigators on site collecting evidence, officials said, according to KSDK. No cause has been released, and investigators have asked residents and business owners to steer clear of the area while their work continues. Owners and city officials had not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Busy Stretch For Area Firefighters
The Wilshire Village blaze followed a run of serious calls in the River Bend area over the weekend, including a house fire and an apartment fire that pulled in multiple departments and underscored the importance of mutual aid, The Telegraph reported. Local chiefs have said recent winds have complicated firefighting efforts and emphasized the value of regional cooperation on larger incidents. Officials said neighbors should plan for road closures and ongoing cleanup around the strip mall for several days while fire crews finish their work and insurance adjusters survey the damage.
