©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Fire Requires Defense Mode Tactic |
A turn-of-the-century building that once manufactured doors, frames, and other things for business that later served as the home of a loft-style apartment has been destroyed by fire.
Galesburg firefighters, along with mutual aid from Knoxville and Abingdon, all responded to the former Hawkinson Manufacturing facility at Ferris Place and Cedar Avenue around 8:30 Tuesday morning. Thick black smoke could reportedly be seen for miles around, reminiscent of the scene when the OT Johnson fire happened six years ago.
Galesburg Fire Chief Tom Simkins says like then, crews attacked the fire on defense, so as not to let it spread, and he tells WGIL he thinks it did the job.
"We were very close to losing some houses here on the street," Simkins said. "But the guys-- to their credit-- had the hose lines on the houses, and you could tell the yards are all burtn right up to the houses. So we feel good that we saved those houses."
One of those houses belonged to Cindy Main and her boyfriend.
"The whole side of the outside is going to have to be replaced, the fireman said; there might be some water damage upstairs, I haven't been up there yet," Main said.
Main says her cat, otherwise friendly, was spooked by the fire, but was able to be found and has been safely taken out of her home.
Simkins says a firefighter suffered a concussion and a broken collar bone but will be okay.
Hawkinson Manufacturing was gutted and is a total loss. Local Red Cross officials aided in the effort. |
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| 06 13 12 by Newsroom |
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