At 8:55 PM, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Macomb Fire Department was dispatched to a water flow
alarm at Grote Hall, 720 W Adams St. on the campus of Western Illinois University (WIU). While enroute, the
WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS) advised that they had smoke and flames in room 410. The first arriving
units arrived on scene at 9:01 PM and began high-rise standpipe operations. Fire command made contact
with OPS who had discharged two fire extinguishers on the fire. The interior firefighting crew stretched a
hose line to the fire room and finished extinguishing the fire. The fire was contained to a waste basket in the
room. The fire activated a sprinkler within the closet of the room and kept the fire from spreading. Multiple
rooms sustained smoke and water damage and at least two residents were displaced. Four on-duty
firefighters responded to the call and nine additional firefighters responded to a crew callback. Emmet
Chalmers and Good Hope Fire Departments responded to the scene and assisted with primary searches of
the building. The fire was deemed under control at 9:12 PM. All units cleared at 11:21 PM.
One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for observation and was treated and released.
A smoke alarm was present in the room, however, did not alarm due to the device being obstructed by the
resident. Once the sprinkler system activated the water flow alarm notified OPS dispatch of the fire.
The structure sustained fire, smoke, and water damage throughout and has an estimated loss of $20,000.
The fire was investigated by the Macomb Fire Department and WIU OPS. The fire was deemed
unintentional due to improper disposal of ignited materials.
The Macomb Fire Department wants to again remind citizens that smoke detectors are essential safety
devices that play a crucial role in protecting lives and property by providing early warning of smoke or fire.
Tampering with smoke detectors can lead to criminal charges.
Thank you to the Macomb – McDonough County Communications Center, Macomb IL Police, WIU OPS, WIU
Support Staff, Lifeguard Ambulance Service of Illinois, Emmet- Chalmers FPD, Good Hope FPD, and the City
of Macomb Public Works for their assistance with the fire.
I would also like to thank the two OPS officers who acted quickly in their application of the fire extinguishers
which helped suppress the fire. They then assisted with helping make sure all residents were evacuated
and relocated to a warm location. Their swift response not only minimized fire damage but also ensured
the safety and well-being of all residents.
***Courtesy of the Macomb Fire Department***
