At 8:48 PM, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Macomb Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a trash chute at Western Illinois University Thompson Hall. While enroute command was notified of flames showing and sprinkler head activation. The initial crew arrived on scene at 8:52 pm. Command initiated Box Card 1101 calling in all Off-Duty Macomb Firefighters along with Emmet-Chalmers Fire Dept for mutual aid. Crews made their way to the basement and extinguished the fire inside the trash chute. Light smoke had spread throughout the building. The fire was deemed Under Control at 9:50 PM. Crews then began ventilating the building and continued assisting any remaining students with evacuation. Students were temporarily relocated to Western Hall while WIU staff began cleanup efforts.
One Emmet Chalmers firefighter was treated and released on scene for exhaustion.
Estimated loss at this time is approximately $3000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Macomb Fire Dept and WIU OPS.
Four On-Duty Macomb Firefighters initially responded with an additional Nine Off-Duty firefighters being called in. Emmet Chalmers responded mutual aid with Four. Thank you to Western Dispatch, McDonough County 911, WIU Office of Public Safety, Emmet-Chalmers Fire Protection District, and Lifeguard Ambulance for their assistance with the incident. The scene was cleared at 12:17 AM.
We would like to remind all residents that you are required to evacuate a building when a fire alarm sounds, unless you are physically unable to evacuate. Failure to evacuate greatly increases the danger to residents and first responders and can result in a fine. If you cannot evacuate, please call 911 and inform them of your location.
***Courtesy of the Macomb Fire Department***
