NOTE: This story is being updated to report two cats died as a result of the fire.
A resident escaped a fire that caused an estimated $160,000 in damages to a downtown Galesburg building Monday morning.
According to a news release from the Galesburg Fire Department, fire personnel responded to a structure fire at 149-151 E. Main St. at 10:07 a.m. Monday. The structure has two businesses on the first floor, and residential units on the second and third floors. The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty.
Upon arrival, personnel encountered smoke and fire from the third story, on the north and east side of the structure. The central station crew set up the aerial ladder and applied a master stream to the third floor. The Brooks Street station crew made entry with a fire hose and made their way to the third floor to finish extinguishing the fire. The Fremont Street crew searched the second floor for residents. No injuries to fire personnel or residents were reported. Two cats died and were recovered and turned over to animal control.
Before the Galesburg Fire Department’s arrival, a citizen noticed the fire, made entry to the second floor of the structure, and assisted a resident out of the building.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Galesburg Fire investigators.
Due to concerns of structural integrity of the building, the west sidewalk of Prairie Street, and the south sidewalk of Main Street around the structure have been blocked. Please refrain from walking on the sidewalk in this area.
