February 11, 2025
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Ladd fire may have been caused by faulty AC, fire chief says

Residents evacuated safely from 2nd story apartment

By Tom Collins and Scott Anderson
Firefighters battle a fire at Charro Tacos at 201 South Main St. in Ladd on Monday, Aug. 14.

Firefighters battle a fire on the second level of a building that houses Charro Tacos at 201 South Main St. in Ladd on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (Scott Anderson)

A faulty air-conditioning unit might have been the source of a fire early Monday that gutted a downtown Ladd building.

Ladd Fire Chief B.J. Liebe said the occupants of the second-story residence evacuated safely from the fire, reported at 7:15 a.m. at 201 S. Main St., and which soon was elevated to a three-alarm fire of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.

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Firefighters work the scene of a structure fire at 201 North Main Street on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 at Ladd. The fire happened just before 7:30a.m. and was upgraded to a three-alarm fire. Firefighters from Mendota, Ladd, Peru, La Salle, Utica, Princeton and others helped with the blaze.

Firefighters responded to a structure fire Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, at 201 N. Main St. in Ladd. The fire occurred just before 7:30 a.m. and the third alarm of the Mutual Aid Box Alert System was activated. Assisting Ladd firefighters at the scene were Spring Valley, La Salle, Peru, Oglesby, Utica, Standard, Arlington, Cherry, Princeton and Mendota fire companies. (Scott Anderson)

“I’m not 100% confident that that’s what started it – we’re waiting for the Fire Marshal – but that was the room where it started,” Liebe said, indicating an upstairs window that was particularly scorched

“We probably had the majority of the fire out within 10 minutes.”

Still to be determined is whether the first-floor restaurant, Charro Tacos, is a total loss. Liebe said there was extensive smoke and water damage to the lower level.

The restaurant owner could not be immediately reached for comment.

A group of people standing near the building were identified as the evacuees. Through an interpreter, they declined comment.

Assisting Ladd firefighters at the scene were Spring Valley, La Salle, Peru, Oglesby, Utica, Standard, Arlington, Cherry, Princeton and Mendota fire companies.