Diveley Highlights Community Importance Of Strip Mall Devastated In Blaze

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EAST ALTON - East Alton Fire Chief Jeremy Diveley said the fire in the Wilshire Strip Mall area early Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026, was devastating for not only residents and those who still worked and owned businesses in the buildings.

He pointed out that residents depend on the businesses at the Wilshire Strip Mall, as the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office investigates a fire that broke out Tuesday at the East Alton shopping center.

Drone photos above are by Doug Booten.

Diveley said the early investigation shows the fire likely started in a portion of the building that “been vacant and condemned a few months back,” with the bulk of the fire damage on the east side of the building, where he said there was “only one active business on that” side. He said businesses throughout the strip sustained smoke and water damage.

“Dollar General and Subway - they are always busy in the strip mall,” Diveley said. “A lot of people go there on foot from houses around there. It is a lot busier there than it might appear.”

Diveley said Dollar General and Subway had “significant smoke and water damage,” adding that “a lot of cleaning up to do” and that “that portion of the strip mall will be evaluated to see if they will be repaired,” although he said he was “not sure when or how that process will go.”

Diveley emphasized the importance of the remaining businesses to local residents, naming “from Dollar General, the Subway to the China Star.” He said he hopes businesses can reopen either at the current location, “if it is salvageable,” or nearby.

“I hope they can reopen and find a way reestablish business in the area one way or another,” Diveley said. “We are all hoping for the best, and we feel for everyone affected by it.”

He also described the strip mall as a rare type of neighborhood shopping area.

“You just don’t see those kinds of neighborhood-based strips anymore,” Diveley said. He called it “a throwback to days gone by,” adding that “stores in the heart of the community where people can walk to them and even take a bus stop positioned near the businesses."

Diveley said the cause remains under investigation by the state fire marshal's office.

“Pinpointing a cause, I can’t speak to it too much; it is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office,” he said.

He said decisions about repairs will depend on cost and business considerations.

“I hate to elaborate about the strip mall; they may all come down, depending on the cost and business decision, and what is worth repairing and not,” Diveley said.

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