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Fire Engulfs Lumber Yard at Galesburg Hardware Store
Flames billowed high into the Galesburg-area sky early Saturday afternoon, pouring out from a lumber warehouse at a Galesburg hardware store.

Galesburg Firefighters arrived at People's Do-it Center just after 12-noon. Crowds were gathering at a distance on East Berrien Street to watch the crews battle the bustling flames.

Captain Scott Benson was able to confirm immediately no one sustained any injuries. His battalion attacked the fire from all angles for over ninety minutes to control the flames. Three fire-trucks and an ambulance were on the scene.

People's owner Steve Hawkinson was in his office when the warehouse fire began to burn. He says "It could have been a lot worse." He's thankful for the westward wind that pushed the flames away from the retail store.

Hawkinson, a full-time employee at People's since 1974, says his grandfather built the wooden lumber warehouse in 1955. The center has been a staple in Galesburg hardware necessities since 1902.

Benson said firefighters would remain on the scene throughout the afternoon and into the early evening hours overhauling the remains and checking for hot spots.

Ameren workers were laboring to restore power to the hardware store.








(WGIL Photos and News Story by Kyle Schassburger).
04 28 12 by Newsroom
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