The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 714 Mulberry St. yesterday evening, December 12th, 2024, at 11:07 P.M. The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke showing from the two-story residential structure. Witnesses stated that a person was trapped on the second floor. The Brooks St. Station crew quickly conducted a search of the second floor, under heavy smoke and fire conditions, and rescued a dog from the structure.
Battalion Chief Jim Pendergast established Command and it was determined that all residents had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department. Fire crews from both the Brooks St. Station and Central Fire Station attempted an interior attack with hose lines but had to exit the structure due to quickly deteriorating conditions including high heat and heavy fire. Fire crews then established a defensive attack to protect surrounding homes and to extinguish the fire from the exterior. Fire crews were on scene until late morning extinguishing small areas of remaining fire.
An emergency callback of off duty personnel was initiated to provide emergency coverage for the City.
The three residents that self-evacuated were transported by GHAS to OSF St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation due to smoke inhalation. Preliminary damages are estimated at approximately $40,000. The structure is a total loss. The cause of the fire is determined to be Unintentional.
***Courtesy of the Galesburg Fire Department***
