UPDATE: Abandoned house in wooded area causes temporary closure of War Memorial Drive

UPDATE 5:45 p.m. - An investigator is trying to determine what caused an abandoned house to catch fire in a wooded area behind Swan Lake Cemetery.

Fire crews were called about 3:10 p.m. after smoke was seen in the area at the 4600 block of West War Memorial Drive.

A fire department news release said getting enough water to the scene was a problem because of a lack of fire hydrants nearby.

Additional fire companies were called initially to haul water to the site.

War Memorial Drive, between Route 6 and Willow Knolls Drive, was closed because water supply lines were on the roadway.

There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $10,000.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m. - Car and vacant house were destroyed, said Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger. The chief said there were no injuries.

UPDATE 4:58 P.M. - Both lanes have been reopened.

UPDATE 4:25 P.M. - Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger says the fire was at a vacant house on the back side near Swan Lake Memory Gardens.

The fire is knocked down.

War Memorial will be shut down until after 5 p.m.

PEORIA (25News Now) - War Memorial Drive in the 4600 block has been closed by the Peoria police and fire departments, according to the Peoria Emergency Communications Center.

Traffic can be seen on Illinois Department of Transportation traffic camera being turned around in front of Swan Lake Memory Gardens.

Smoke could also be seen in the air.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2023 WEEK. All rights reserved.