ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — Multiple fire departments responded early Wednesday morning when a five-alarm fire sent a St. Clair County convenience store ablaze.
The fire broke out just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday at the County Line Quick Shop, located near Cahokia Heights, according to the Camp Jackson Fire Department. Heavy fire was coming through the roof, causing it to collapse.
The neighborhood store sold snacks and liquor, according to firefighters at the scene. There were even slot machines inside and a few gas pumps on the side of the building.
The building was a complete loss.
Several departments, including Northwest SCC, Cahokia, Millstadt, Washington Park and O'Fallon, were at the scene attempting to control the flames. A drone was used to detect the remaining hotspots with infrared technology.
A store employee was living in an apartment above the business but was able to escape and call for help.
No injuries were reported.
The fire was close to home for the Camp Jackson Fire Department, which led the response.
"Our fire department is right down the street," Camp Jackson Fire Chief Chris Davis said. "We would come here and get drinks and stuff … It's just hard to see a business in our district, which is already dwindling, you know."
Davis said the business had a lot of foot traffic from community residents.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal was investigating the cause of the fire Wednesday. There was no speculation on its cause.
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