Just after 3 am Wednesday, Clinton Fire Crews were dispatched to a house fire on South Monroe Street in Clinton. 

Upon arrival, heavy fire was blazing at the rear of the home with heavy smoke coming from a second level of the home. The two residents of the home had escaped safely.

Crews knocked down the exterior fire however as they began to enter the home, it was deemed unsafe because of the possibility of a collapse. The roof ultimately did collapse and crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.

The City of Clinton deployed a backhoe to help remove the roof and walls, allowing crews to gain access to the rest of the structure and put out hot spots.

Temperatures were bitterly cold in the overnight hours and morning daylight hours Wednesday. Crews were assisted by Wapella, Kenney, Maroa, Waynesville, Hickory Point, Heyworth, Farmer City, Argenta-Oreana, Warrensburg, and Cisco fire departments. 

Crews were rotated in and out to allow crews and their equipment to stay warm due to the frigid conditions. 

Others assisting at the scene were the DeWitt County EMA, the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office, Clinton Police, Ameren, and the City of Clinton Public Works Department. 

The Calvary United Pentecostal Church provided a warming location and use of its restrooms for officials on the scene. Snappers provided crews lunch. Central Illinois Ag offered its location for equipment to thaw and the new Scooters Coffee in Clinton donated morning coffee. 

Clinton Fire officials thank everyone involved in the Wednesday incident for their efforts and contributions. 

The Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office will investigate the fire. The home was deemed a total loss.