Fire closes the JALC campus

CARTERVILLE - A fire on campus trapped two employees in an elevator and forced the evacuation and closure of John A. Logan College on Wednesday.

According to Steve O'Keefe, Director of College Relations, the fire broke out at 11:42 a.m. due to an electrical system failure.

Campus police were first on the scene and extinguished a small fire.

The Carterville Fire Department responded and extracted the two employees from the elevator.

Two firefighters and the two employees were transported to area hospitals.

No information is available on their status at this time.

The fire remains under investigation by the Carterville FD and the State Fire Marshall.

In a media release, O'Keefe said the campus community was informed of the situation via text.

Due to smoke damage and the power outage, the campus will be closed through Friday, but instruction, advising, and other services will continue remotely.

Information will be made available on the college website, Volmail, and JALCText.