GODFREY - A serious fire at a home in the 300 block of Gladys Avenue in Godfrey was reported at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2026, prompting a response from the Godfrey Fire Protection District, with assistance from the Alton Fire Department, Fosterburg Fire, and an Alton Memorial Hospital ambulance.
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“It was reported as a working structure fire with a possible trapped victim,” Assistant Godfrey Fire Chief Chris Dennison said.
Dennison said crews arrived within five minutes and found heavy fire in a split-level home, with flames on the right-hand side of the house in the basement that had spread to the first floor and attic.
Because it was unknown whether anyone was inside, firefighters attacked the fire while also searching the first floor and basement, Dennison said. He said it was later determined that everyone had already gotten out of the house.
“It turned out everyone was already out of the house. The fire crews brought the fire under control quickly. We also did additional searches, and within 30 minutes the fire was under control.”
Dennison said the fire appeared to have started in the basement and worked its way upward. He said no one was injured and that he was thankful everyone got out safely.
He said firefighters were able to keep the blaze mostly contained to the right side of the house, but the assistant chief said the home sustained significant damage.
“I won’t say total loss, but there was significant damage,” Dennison said.
Dennison also commended all the firefighters for extinguishing the blaze quickly and for conducting thorough searches of the home.
