Downtown Champaign suffered a similar blow 21 years ago

CHAMPAIGN – "Big fire, big water." That's what the current Champaign fire chief, Doug Forsman, says about putting out Friday's fire downtown.

Twenty-one years ago, on Dec. 27, 1987, the date of the last big downtown fire, it was the same thing, big water, recalls the chief at that time – Doug Forsman.

Also on this date

• Fire-ravaged site's co-owner: 'I would love to rebuild'
• Cause of downtown fire won't be known for days
• Battling blaze from on high proves taxing
• Levy hike of almost 10 percent proposed
• Area Veterans Day memorial dedications planned
• Stones, benches honoring veterans to be unveiled in Savoy
• Students learn about geothermal energy project
• Obituaries

» More