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QUINCY, ILL. -- UPDATED: February 23 at 11:59 a.m.

Quincy Crimestoppers needs your assistance in getting information on the fire at 2000 Chestnut.

There were numerous individuals in the building at the time of the fire and it appears to suspicious in nature.

If you have any information contact them at 217-228-4474 or go to www.quincycrimestoppers.com.

If an arrest is made based on your information, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

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UPDATED: February 21 at 2:26 p.m.

An apartment fire at the corner of 20th and Chestnut early Monday morning was not an accident.

The Quincy Fire Department responded sometime before 1:00 a.m.

Fire Chief Joe Henning says there were unconfirmed reports of between 4 to 8 people inside at the time of the fire.

According to eye witnesses on the scene some of the people had to force their way out and jump down to the ground to escape.

Henning says the Illinois State Fire Marshall was asked to come to the scene with an arson unit and dog.

"What we can basically say at this point is we've ruled out all accidental causes for the fire. The dog has indicated that there's been the use of accelerants in the stairwell going up to the second floor," said Henning.

The investigation has now been turned over to the Quincy Police Department.

Fire Chief Joe Henning said officers are interviewing a lot of people to find out what happened.

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ORIGINAL STORY:

The Quincy Fire Department had its hand full early this morning responding to an apartment fire at the corner of 20th and Chestnut.

Details are sketchy at this time.

Fire started sometime before 1 a.m.

Fire chief Joe Henning says that there were unconfirmed reports of  between 4 to 8 people inside at the time of the fire.   
  
According to eye witnesses on the scene some of the people had to force their way out and jump down to the ground to escape.

Chief Henning also said, "I just spoke to the incident commander on the scene. He said upon arrival they had heavy fire involvement on the second floor of the structure. And additionally they had fire involvement on the second building immediately to the east. Crews began to make an initial attack on the interior, tried to get upstairs and had a partial collapse on the second floor."

We will bring you more details, so check this story later and watch KHQA's News at Five, KHQA's Evening News at 6 p.m. and KHQA's Late News at 10 p.m.