ZEIGLER, Ill. (WSIL)--- Some neighbors are shocked after seeing what's left after a fire in Zeigler damaged about 5 homes on Maple Street Wednesday night.
“It's pretty sad these people lost their homes. It hurts me so bad.� Diane King said.
Family members of people who lived in one of the homes went through the rubble seeing what's left.
Their neighboring landlords also came to see the damage to their houses.
“Looked like the whole block was on fire. But, uh, yeah, he was like I said, he was the fortunate one,� Bill Walker said about his son's property.
Walker also owns property on the street. He was also worried when he heard about the fire.
“But when I first came here, I thought he was just roaring in fire too, Walker said.
Walkers shared that his son's house does have some water damage from fighting the fire.
“I worked for Allstate building back their houses and I've seen a lot. I worked for them for 10 years and uh, I never seen like almost a whole block burn down. You know, I've seen a lot of damage on both sides of a burnt, I've never seen something like this, you know,� Walker said.
Fire Officials say three of the homes are a total loss, and Paul Kosco who is the insurance agent of one family said they had to go to a hotel.
“It wiped out the west side of it and inside it's completely smoke-damaged. All the ceilings are dripping and sagging from the water. Of course, the fireman did an excellent job,� Kosco says.
“The kitchen's gone, the bedroom's gone, and the poor woman's just beside herself, all the sentimental values and stuff.�
Kosco says the next step for his client is filing an insurance claim.
“She wants to get it all done today,� Kosco said.
Walker recalls seeing one of the people trying to get his stuff during the fire.
“He was trying real hard to get his stuff and save it. But the other fella here that owns it, my son, had talked to him this morning, you know, and he was pretty well set back,� Walker said.
The state fire marshal has been called in to investigate.
