🌱 Five injured as Belleville apartment fire forces rapid evacuation Monday morning.
Belleville, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readCheers Belleville! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Five injured as Belleville apartment fire forces rapid evacuation Monday morning.
- Belleville and Mascoutah communities remember beer distributor and civic leader Bob Fritz
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Breezy and not as warm, with a high of 74 and low of 47 degrees.
- Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 54.
- Friday: A t-storm; breezy in the a.m., with a high of 83 and low of 66 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Belleville Apartment Blaze Jolts Residents, Sends Five To Hospital (hoodline.com) — A Monday morning fire in a Belleville apartment building sent five people to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries and forced a rapid evacuation of residents. Firefighters and investigators remained on scene to secure the building, assess damage, and begin notifying displaced tenants, while officials have not yet released the address or identities of those injured. 
• If you drank beer, he probably delivered it. Remembering Bob Fritz (bnd.com) — Belleville is remembering longtime beer distributor and community leader Bob Fritz, whose family company grew into a major regional employer and who helped launch Belleville Oktoberfest, Sister Cities, and the city’s bicentennial bratwurst celebration. Fritz, 86, died April 28, and a public celebration of life is planned June 28 in Mascoutah. His family and colleagues recall his generosity, charisma, and deep ties to local taverns and charities.
📸 Around Belleville
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2026 Fancy Pants Tea Party - Belleville, IL 2026 →
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Parks & Recreation Board →
Belleville, IL Calendar, 510 West Main Street, Belleville
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BJC Baby in Bloom
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Ribbon Cutting - Gator's Frozen Custard
O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, 105 S. Vine Street, O'Fallon
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Board of Trustees Meeting →
Swansea, IL Calendar Swansea, IL 62226 -
District 201 Board of Education Meeting →
Belleville High School-East, 920 N Illinois St, Belleville
6:00 pm -
Business After Hours (BAH) - The Tye-Dyed Iguana
The Tye-Dyed Iguana, 1905 West Hwy 50, Fairview Heights
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Friday May 15
Monday May 18
Tuesday May 19
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My baby boy, Reuben, has been missing since 10pm Monday, 11th.
West End Belleville. Please keep your eyes open for him. Thank you. (Nextdoor Hickory Lake) - In the neighborhood behind the west end police station.
There was a rather large cloth black bag taken from my driveway that has all of my photoboothing equipment inside. I need my bag back with… (Nextdoor Sunnyside Belleville)
- Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Merchandiser in Belleville. Apply here.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Belleville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Belleville here.
🗞 Nearby News
Fairview Heights
- Officer Montagnani Praised for Quick Action in Theft Case (riverbender.com)
O'Fallon
- 3D Printing in the CoLab Book Clubs and Community Explore the Lincoln Library with Lana Shovlin (nprillinois.org)
- HSHS leaders Klay, Cornelius named to Becker's Hospital Review's Rural Hospital, Health System Presidents, CEOs for 2026 (timestribunenews.com)
- Cynthia Hughes (riverbender.com)
Ok Belleville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
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