Firefighters battled a large blaze late Monday night after smoke was seen coming from the roof of a building in downtown Taylorville.

The Taylorville Fire Department responded to 114 N Main at 11:06 p.m. on March 4, encountering heavy smoke throughout the structure. Crews initially attempted to locate the fire from inside but were forced to retreat when flames breached the roof. Firefighters then shifted to a defensive strategy, using an aerial master stream and multiple handlines from the ground to suppress the flames.

The fire caused significant structural damage, with the building’s exterior walls bowing outward. Fire officials established a collapse zone and moved all personnel to a safe distance. A first alarm was activated, bringing in additional resources from Owaneco, Stonington, Assumption, Morrisonville-Palmer, Pana Fire, and Dunn’s Ambulance.

By 1:38 a.m. on March 5, firefighters had brought the fire under control. The Taylorville Street Department later arrived to secure the area and set up barricades.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. City officials are set to meet with the building’s owner to assess the structural damage. A portion of the roadway will remain closed until authorities determine it is safe or the building is removed.