The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 878 N. Cherry St. yesterday evening, February 19, 2023, at 11:49 PM. The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty. Upon arrival, heavy fire had engulfed a covered porch and was spreading into the home. Battalion Chief Derek Perry established command and the Central Station crew made an initial attack from the exterior before entering the structure with an attack line to extinguish the fire. The Fremont Street Station crew searched the smoke-filled home, located the family cats, and reunited them with the homeowners. Despite efforts by the Brooks Street Station crew to resuscitate a cat, it succumbed to its injuries. The four occupants were awoken by smoke detectors and were able to safely escape prior to the Fire Department arriving on the scene. No other injuries were reported.
An emergency callback of off duty fire personnel was initiated to provide emergency coverage for the City. Preliminary damage estimates are at $50,000. The exterior of the house, the dining room, and kitchen sustained heavy fire damage. The interior of the home sustained minor smoke damage. Galesburg Fire Investigators determined the fire to be intentional. The investigation is still ongoing.
***Courtesy of the Galesburg Fire Department***
