At 6:47 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 863 W. Third St. The response included all three fire stations and the 12 personnel on duty. Upon arrival, personnel encountered a residential structure fire with heavy smoke showing from the eaves and the rear corner of the house. Neighbors informed arriving fire crews that the home was occupied. Battalion Chief Matt Cain established command.
The Central Station fire crew forced entry into the front of the home, located and removed a victim. The Brooks Station fire crew provided medical attention until GHAS arrived to administer patient care and transport the victim to OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center. The Brooks Station fire crew then used a second hose line to extinguish the fire at the rear of the home. In addition to one victim rescued, two cats were also rescued from the home; however, one dog succumbed to smoke inhalation.
An emergency callback of off-duty personnel was initiated to provide emergency coverage for the city. Assistance was also provided by Galesburg Hospitals’ Ambulance Service, the Galesburg Police Department, the Knox County Humane Society, and Galesburg Public Works. Galesburg Fire Department Investigators are investigating the cause of the fire.
***Courtesy of Randy Hovind, Galesburg Fire Chief***
