Peru firefighters were dispatched at 2:10 p.m. to a fire that broke out at a home in the 1900 block of Main Street, near the junction of Market, Main and Schuyler streets. The sole occupant evacuated safely, authorities said.

The fire was extinguished about 5 p.m. and firefighters began clearing the scene.

“There was nobody in the house, thank God,” Peru Assistant Chief Jim Duncan said. “There were some animals in the house. We didn’t see any animals, so I don’t know if they got out somehow or ran down into the basement.

“But we’ve checked the house and we haven’t found any animals yet.”

A substantial portion of the roof had caved in and smoke and flames were visible from the remains.

Duncan said a cause is not yet known. An investigator with the Office of the State Fire Marshal was en route, he said.

School buses were rerouted away from the scene.

Peru firefighters were assisted by crews from La Salle, Tonica, Oglesby Ottawa, Granville, and Utica, Troy Grove and Wallace.

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Firefighters spray water on a structure fire in the 1900 block of Main Street on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Peru. (Scott Anderson)