At 4:59 AM, December 18th, 2022, the Monmouth Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire
in a residence located at 817 South 1st Street. When Monmouth Firefighters arrived on scene, they found
the residence heavily involved with fire which was also impinging on the neighbor’s garage. Crews from
Engine 23 and Ladder 40 started an attack on the fire using a defensive strategy and provided protection
for the garage to keep it from igniting. The incident commander requested two additional alarms, the first
to call additional off-duty Monmouth Firefighters and the second request was for mutual aid from other
departments. Although the fire was brought under control quickly, the home is considered a total loss
while the nearby garage sustained minor damages to the siding and soffit.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, Monmouth Fire Department, and Monmouth Police Department. In addition to MFD, the Central Warren
Fire Protection District, RSP&E Fire Protection District and Little York Fire Protection District all assisted
with extinguishing the fire. Other agencies that responded for assistance include the Galesburg Hospital
Ambulance Service, Monmouth Police Department, Woodard Curran, and Ameren Illinois. There were no
reported injuries to any firefighters or residents and all responding units cleared from the scene at 7:59 AM.
***Courtesy of Monmouth Fire Chief Casey Rexroat***
