No one injured in abandoned building fire for La Salle structure currently marked for demolition

No one was injured and officials don’t believe any structural damage occurred at an abandoned building fire Wednesday night in La Salle.

La Salle, Peru and Utica firefighters responded to the call at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 324 Third St., along with local law enforcement, as the fire was under control and no adjacent buildings were harmed.

The first floor fire caused a good amount of smoke. The building itself is owned by Gary and Nick Hammers and Jeremy Reid of the Hammers Group.

The group was given the property as part of its agreement with the city in the ongoing Gateway to La Salle development.

The building itself is planned for demolition along with the building to its north to create a parking lot for other planned structures.

Gary Hammers, at this time, believes juveniles may have started the fire, but the cause is under investigation.

La Salle Fire Chief Andy Bacidore said the blaze quickly was contained and mainly damaged debris on the first floor of the building. He said he does not believe the building had any structural damage.

Oglesby firefighters assisted by manning La Salle’s station.