Galesburg fire temporarily closes streets

The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a call about an active fire in the 100 block of E. Main Street at about 10:07 a.m. on Monday, February 19. The response included all three stations and 11 staff on duty.

When they arrived, firefighters discovered a three-story structure with smoke and fire coming from the third story on the north and east side of the building. The Central Station crew set up the aerial ladder and directed a master stream to the third floor. The Brooks Street crew entered the building with a fire hose and made their way to the third floor to extinguish the fire. The Freemont Street crew searched the second floor for residents. Two cats were recovered and given to Animal Control.

Most of the damage was contained to the third floor of the northeast corner of the building. A passerby noticed the fire, entered the second floor and helped a resident out of the building. No one was in the building when the fire department arrived. The fire caused the city to temporarily close the streets in the vicinity.

The first floor contained a business and the second and third floors contained apartments. All three floors sustained smoke and water damage. A preliminary estimate puts the damage at $160,000. No injuries were reported and the Red Cross is assisting residents.

This is still an active investigation and the cause of the fire has not been determined.

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