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Rapatee House Severely Damaged by Fire; Cause Under Investigation
POSTED 9:58 a-m 5/14/10 A residential fire that required the assistance of several departments caused substantial damage to a two-story house in Rapatee.

Officials from the Fairview Fire Protection District say they responded to the blaze around 8:15 Thursday night at 5 North Illinois Route 97 and arrived to find heavy fire showing from the second floor of the residence. Crews learned while they were on their way that everyone inside the residence got out safely.

Officials say after initial knock-down of the fire and the arrival of additional personnel and water supply, crews went inside the structure and extinguished the fire.

Firefighters from London Mills, Farmington, Maquon and Cuba assisted firefighters from Fairview. Authorities say they closed Route 97 to allow a safe work area and for tankers shuttling water.

Officials say the home is owned by Mike and Sherry Smith of Rock Island and occupied by Sarah Stear and her five children. Fire damage was contained to the second floor while the entire house sustained smoke damage and most of it water damage.

The residents of the burned home are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The Fairview Fire Protection District, the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office and the Knox County Sheriff's Department returned to the scene Friday morning to investigate the cause of the fire.
05 14 10 by Newsroom
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