The Peoria Fire Department says an overnight blaze at the shuttered KFC restaurant on Western Avenue in West Peoria was set intentionally, with damage estimated at $500,000.
Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 1:30 a.m. Monday and saw heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building.
Crews managed to get inside and extinguish the within 15 minutes. Fire teams from the Bartonville, West Peoria and Limestone departments assisted with the response.
After an “all clear” call, crews determined multiple trusses were burnt through, causing a sagging roof that made the building structurally unsafe.
An arson investigator and canine were called to the scene. The investigation ruled the fire as arson.
There were no injuries reported and no suspects have been identified. The drive-thru fast-food business had been closed since last summer.
