There was a fire Monday night in Pinckneyville in the courthouse square area.  According to the Pinckneyville Fire Department report, the fire began shortly after 11 PM in an apartment building on the southeast side of Water Street.  There is a building on the corner that has housed some eating establishments, including pizza places, but is now vacant.  The apartment building is on the east side of it.  The fire is believed to have begun on the 3^rd floor of the building in a middle apartment on the west side of the building.  The cause is under investigation, as the State Fire Marshall’s Office has been on scene, but due to the damage and safety issues, it is difficult to get in and check.  The building is basically a total loss, as part of a wall had to be torn down to get to hot spots throughout the night, as well as heat, smoke and water damage.  Some tenants might be able to salvage some items though.  Not every apartment was occupied and no one was injured.  The restaurant building next door did sustain some damage, as well as from smoke and water.  There was even concern about moving prisoners from the jail, just east of the burning building, but that was not necessary after all.  Fire departments from Cutler, DuQuoin, Nashville, Sesser, Sparta, Tamaroa and Willisville responded to help in some way.  The Red Cross was on hand to help provide food and drinks for the fire fighters and McDonalds stayed open to help with that as well.  Roads were closed around that area and traffic was diverted around, but by late afternoon, all roads were open, except for the one between the jail and building.  Fire crews were on scene for long hours, as the fire was under control by 5 AM with some departments heading back shortly after that.  There were still some hot spots to put out and the Pinckneyville fire fighters cleared by early afternoon.